County gets $18M for key infrastructure projects

The four projects were included in the recently passed INVEST in America Act.

Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) has included over $18 million in federal funding for four major infrastructure projects in the INVEST in America Act. The bill has now successfully passed through the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on a bipartisan basis and is expected to come to the House floor for a vote in the near future.

These projects are as follows:

• $4.8 million for the Exton Station Intermodal Connectivity. This project will support the improvement of a bus circulation loop to increase access to Exton Station, which will benefit the riders of the SEPTA 92 bus line that serves residents from West Chester to King of Prussia. This funding will enhance connections from the regional rail station and improve intermodal access to the station.

• $4 million for PA 12 West Highway Resurface 422. The funds would resurface SR 12 from US 422 to SR 183 (Schuylkill Avenue). It would include pavement restriping and lengthened acceleration lanes to provide documented safety and maintenance improvements in an environmental justice neighborhood.

• $4.9 million for the Schuylkill Avenue Bridge. This project will replace a structurally deficient bridge on Schuylkill Avenue in Reading. The funding includes ADA compliant sidewalks and will create the ability for rail expansion on the rail bridge below. It will also serve an environmental justice neighborhood.

• $5 million for the 222 Hard Shoulder. This project will expand a part of 222 southbound beginning at the Berkshire Boulevard overpass and extending to the Paper Mill Road exit outside of Reading. This funding will provide needed safety improvements in a dangerous stretch of road and relieve a significant bottleneck for traffic. There will also be regular preventative maintenance, including road patching and resurfacing.

“Since coming to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for robust infrastructure funding to both improve and innovate our crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels and transportation here in Pennsylvania,” said Houlahan. “I am proud to have secured these crucial funds that will go a long way towards improving our community and creating good-paying jobs for working Pennsylvanians. I am grateful for our partnership with local leaders as we work together to build a better future for our Commonwealth. I will work to help shepherd our INVEST in America Act through Congress and on to the President’s desk for signature.”

These projects and Rep. Houlahan’s efforts to secure funding have been met with praise from local leaders.

“The INVEST in America Act represents an incredible opportunity to transform how transit is funded and prioritized as part of the nation’s transportation network, and we are grateful for Representative Houlahan’s efforts to include SEPTA’s Exton Station Intermodal Connectivity project as a Member Designated Project,” said SEPTA General Manager/CEO Leslie S. Richards. “Enhancing bus and rail connections is a critical piece of SEPTA’s first-ever comprehensive bus network redesign, and these funds would help us deliver improvements for customers traveling to and from Chester County.”

“This innovative project on the 222 hard shoulder will help traffic flow in this congested area,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We are grateful for the support of our federal partners in securing funding for this project that will benefit the region.”

“These projects are a priority for the region,” said PennDOT Acting District 5 Executive Chris Kufro. “And we appreciate Rep. Houlahan’s support to fund transportation projects that help the Commonwealth.”