On June 25, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) along with Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) announced a nearly $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the Borough of Sharpsburg’s “Reconnecting the Allegheny Riverfront to Economic Opportunity Project.”

This significant investment is part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program, which awarded a total of $90 million this year to transportation, transit, and trail projects in Pennsylvania.

This grant will support construction of a multimodal transportation network critical to the future of Allegheny Shores, a 52-acre waterfront brownfield located five miles outside the City of Pittsburgh.

The project includes the planning, design, and construction of a bridge over the Conemaugh rail line, roadways connecting the community to the riverfront district, multi-use trails along the river’s shoreline, and improvements to six bus stops along Main Street.

With this infrastructure investment, Sharpsburg will be able to use this formerly blighted site for new development along the waterfront (including affordable and workforce housing), connect residents to walking, biking, and transit options, complete gaps in the regional trail network, and bring new jobs to the community.

“This grant represents a monumental opportunity for our historic river town, with potential impacts that are truly unprecedented,” said Sharpsburg Borough Manager Christine DeRunk. “We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of our federal, state, and county officials, and the leadership and tireless advocacy of Senators Casey and Fetterman, and Congressman Deluzio. We cannot emphasize enough how much these funds will help transform our community and improve quality of life, catalyze economic development, enhance recreation and promote environmental stewardship.”

“This federal funding is a massive win for the people of Sharpsburg,” said Senator Fetterman. “This project will allow the community to turn a blighted former rail yard into an engine for economic revitalization, and the benefits will be felt for generations. Securing this level of funding for a smaller community like Sharpsburg is no small feat – I’m grateful to the Biden Administration, who in our conversations understood the need for these infrastructure investments so that communities like this have a fair shot at a new future. When I ran for this seat, I promised to fight for real results for forgotten communities all across Pennsylvania, just like Sharpsburg – this grant is proof that we’re doing just that.”

“When we passed the infrastructure law, I fought to ensure we were making our communities better places to live for Pennsylvanians,” said Senator Casey. “By reconnecting Sharpsburg to the riverfront and expanding transportation options for residents, we are investing in the long-term economic growth of the borough and its residents. This is a transformational grant for the people of Sharpsburg and I will keep working to deliver funding for Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

“I am so proud that we are delivering this $25 million dollar federal investment in Sharpsburg,” said Congressman Chris Deluzio. “This transformational investment can shape a community for generations to come, spurring growth and getting folks connected to the beautiful Allegheny River. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic moment and will always fight to bring home more investments like this one to Western Pennsylvania.”

Sharpsburg, a small community along the northern bank of the Allegheny River, is home to approximately 3,500 residents.

With a rich industrial history, including its role in the early days of the H.J. Heinz Company, Sharpsburg has experienced economic decline in recent decades.

The Allegheny Shores brownfield, accounting for nearly 12% of the borough’s area, has remained blighted due to insufficient transportation infrastructure.

The RAISE award will enable Sharpsburg to leverage economic development through an integrated multimodal transportation network, transforming the Allegheny Shores into a vibrant hub for alternative transportation, jobs, affordable housing, and greenways.

This redevelopment promises lasting benefits for the Pittsburgh region and positions Sharpsburg for a brighter future.

(Photo: TribLive.com)

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: Blighted Sharpsburg Brownfield Gets $25 Million Bump In Allegheny Shores Transformation

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Tiny Sharpsburg Gets $25 Million Federal Grant To Provide Access To A Riverfront Brownfield Redevelopment

-- Post-Gazette: Sharpsburg To Receive $25 Million Federal Grant To Connect To Its Riverfront

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-- US Senators Casey, Fetterman Announce $15 Million For Codorus Greenway Project In York  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 25, 2024]

7/1/2024