HARRISBURG – The 31st Senatorial District has been awarded $7.85 million in state grants and low interest loans for four projects that will improve local transportation networks, pedestrian safety, and community access to recreation areas, while encouraging economic development, according to Senator Mike Regan (R-31, Cumberland and York).
Regan said the grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) through its Multimodal Transportation Fund and the Business in Our Sites Grants/Loans Program, which was created as part of Pennsylvania’s 2013 Transportation Funding Plan (Act 89). The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.
“I am extremely pleased that four projects within the 31st Senatorial District will receive state funding for important public infrastructure projects,” said Regan. “The work being done in all four projects has an end goal of traffic and pedestrian safety, which in turn will result in a long-term economic return for those communities and our region. This funding will help bring hundreds of high paying skilled jobs to the area.”
The four projects in the 31th District receiving funds are:
South Middleton Township, Cumberland County – $500,000 for streetscape improvements in the Village of Boiling Springs
An ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible looped sidewalk and crosswalk system will be installed, along with traffic-calming measures, to ultimately connect the South Middleton School District Complex to the residents and the Village of Boiling Springs. The improvements will occur along First Street from High Street to Front Street and continue from Front Street to Arnold Street. The sidewalk system will run along High Street, connecting Arnold Street to First Street.
Hampden Township, Cumberland County – $400,000 for road improvements at the Carlisle Pike and South Sporting Hill Road intersection
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and increase pedestrian safety, improvements will be made on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the Carlisle Pike. The eastbound right-turn lane will be extended, creating two through lanes from Gateway Drive to South Sporting Hill Road. The westbound shared through/right turn late will also be extended an additional 400 linear feet. Pedestrian phase lengths will be updated to conform to traffic control device requirements, and crosswalks and curb cut ramps will be updated to conform to ADA requirements. Overall, the project will involve mobilization, excavation, storm water improvements, curb installation, road resurfacing, utility pole relocation, signage, and pavement markings.
Camp Hill Borough, Cumberland County – $700,000 for pedestrian safety and streetscape improvements along Market Street
From 15th Street to 26th Street, revitalization efforts will be made to create a safer, more engaging, attractive, and inviting downtown business corridor. In addition to sidewalk repairs and ADA compliant curbing, traffic signals will be retimed, pedestrian bump outs will be added, existing crosswalks will be redesigned and enhanced, additional crosswalks will be added, as well as new pedestrian scale lighting and shared lane markings.
Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County – $2,500,000 grant and $3,750,000 loan for the Oakwood Hills Commercial Development
Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority and Rider Musser Development, LLC have partnered to develop a multi-phase mixed-use development located in Upper Allen Township. Phase I consists of the residential aspects of the project which includes 392 apartment units located on the eastern portion of the parcel currently under construction. Phase II of the project is the development of the commercial portion of the site consisting of 52.49 acres, currently with no existing infrastructure. The site will be developed to include a hotel with meeting space, a medical facility and office, a bank, and restaurants. Currently Rider Musser is in negotiations with a medical end-user that will bring new high-paying skilled jobs to the area and will dovetail with nearby Messiah College and its Allied Health Services degree track. It is anticipated that the project will result in the creation of 538 new jobs.
CONTACT: Bruce McLanahan, 717-787-8524 or bmclanahan@pasen.gov