HARRISBURG — The Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded thousands of dollars to flood mitigation and other projects across the four-county region, state Rep. Martin Causer and Sen. Joe Scarnati announced Tuesday.
Johnsonburg Borough officials, on behalf of the Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania, applied for a $450,000 grant, which will provide assistance for the construction of a downtown transit center in the City of Bradford.
The ATA is planning to construct a regional transfer center for local and intercity public transit passengers and tour buses in the central business district of Bradford.
The transit center will provide a location for buses to meet and transfer individuals, an indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, ticket booths, bus system information and a parking lot for buses and commuter cars. The total project cost is $2,647,000.
Also in McKean County, a grant will be used for the re-certification process for the levee system in Eldred Borough. The borough was recently notified that its levee system no longer meets the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s requirements, officials said. As a result, FEMA’s flood insurance rate map will require the majority of the borough to carry flood insurance, including the school and all of the business district, according to officials.
This study will re-accredit the levee system to FEMA’s requirements under the national flood insurance program in order to avoid such high insurance costs on its residents and businesses. The project will cost $152,250.
For the Emporium Borough, a grant will provide the support needed to conduct an engineering study on the Sinnemahoning Creek levee. The study will show that approximately 8,000 linear feet of levee that is constructed along the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek meets or exceeds code requirements for levee certification, officials said. This certification is required by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. The total project cost is $275,985.
In Elk and Clearfield counties, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will use the grant to assist with development of a multi-use trail system on the Bennett Branch Forest property located in Jay Township, Elk County, and Huston Township, Clearfield County.
The trail system will incorporate forest management roads improved to accommodate hunting, hiking, biking and wildlife watching. The work would also include improved surface and drainage of forest management road. In addition, there will be construction of a gathering area and installation of park signage. The total project cost is $49,802.
Also in Elk County, an $18,000 grant will provide assistance for an Act 537 special study to evaluate modifications and upgrades to the existing Benezette Township wastewater treatment plant. An engineering evaluation will include a description and justification of the improvements, operational changes and/or design modifications that are necessary to ensure permit compliance. The total project cost is $37,908.
In Potter County, $300,000 will provide support for phase five of the levee certification process in the Borough of Coudersport. The Mill Creek Levee was constructed in the 1950s by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The borough is required to have the levee inspected by an engineer and have a feasibility study provided that recommends corrective actions. During construction to repair the existing Mill Creek levee, a sewer line was discovered along the upper section.
FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers do not allow an utility line to be located along a toe of the levee unless encased in concrete, according to officials. The borough plans to upgrade and repair this existing sewer line with a concrete-encasement line. The total project cost is $391,419.
“Today’s approval of grants for so many crucial local projects will have a tremendous impact upon our region,” Scarnati, R-Brockway, said.
Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said the grant funding for levee studies is important to ensure the safety of people within and around these communities in the event of a flood
“It is also important to make sure the levees meet federal standards to protect homeowners, business owners, schools and others from having to purchase costly flood insurance for their properties,” Causer said. “These grants are important investments in these communities.”
The projects approved for funding are part of four different programs that are administered by the CFA, including the Flood Mitigation Program; Greenways Trails and Recreation Program; Multimodal Transportation Fund Program and Sewage Facilities Program.
