Jackson Township officials are planning for more than $2 million in stormwater improvements over the next five years as part of the Southwest Butler Stormwater Authority’s 2024-29 Capital Improvement Plan.

While township supervisors approved their portion of the plan at a meeting on Nov. 20, three other municipalities — Zelienople, Harmony and Evans City — that make up the authority also have a list of projects lined up.

“The member municipalities are currently independently approving their own respective sections of (the plan),” Jackson Township manager Chris Rearick said. “The plan itself is a five-year horizon, but they would vote on it for at least a two-year horizon and focus on the short-term projects.”

Capital expenditures for all four municipalities over the life of the plan total more than $36.3 million.

The authority’s long-range plan outlines a series of high-priority drainage and infrastructure projects aimed at reducing flooding, improving water flow and upgrading stormwater systems officials say are in need of repair.

According to the plan, Jackson Township will look to complete an estimated $2.12 million worth of projects between now and 2029. The largest of those is a $570,000 reconstruction project on Lutz Road, where deteriorating stormwater facilities have contributed to recurring runoff issues.

Two separate upgrades on Zehner School Road also are included, totaling more than $665,000 combined. One project, budgeted at $232,000, focuses on stormwater conveyance; while a larger, $433,000 effort is primed to address drainage improvements along a different section of the corridor.

Another significant line item is the Gundekunst Road hill drainage improvements project, aimed at resolving long-standing issues tied to runoff from elevated terrain. The work is budgeted at $389,000.

In the immediate future, officials will aim to complete German Street phase 2 at a cost of $350,000, along with Meadowbrook Lane drainage improvements for $290,000.

All projects in the five-year plan are to be funded through the authority’s stormwater fees and available grant opportunities.

Authority officials have previously described the projects as critical to protecting roads, private property and local waterways.

The work is part of the multi-municipal authority’s broader effort to coordinate and fund stormwater upgrades across its member communities, using more of a teamwork approach, rather than relying solely on individual municipal budgets.

“There’s an overall understanding of the cash allotment to each municipality over the life of the capital improvements plan,” Rearick said.

Rearick previously noted design, permitting and construction timelines for each project would be announced as the authority moves forward with implementation.