Congressman Mike Kelly is unveiling a list of projects that he’s seeking funding for through this year’s upcoming federal budget.
Among the 15 projects are five in Butler County—mainly geared toward infrastructure according to Kelly.
“We’re talking about roads, bridges, rivers, railways, and runways. We’re talking about all those things that people use every single day to get information from or get access to moving from point A to point B,” Kelly said.
Kelly and his staff will take these proposals before the Appropriations Committee. He says it’s an important task his office undertakes because this is taxpayers money.
“Every single penny that goes into these appropriated funds comes out of a hard working American’s pocket,” Kelly said.
Last year, the 16th District was awarded $8.5 million for projects. The wishlist this year adds up to over $45 million.
Kelly says the earliest his office will know about which projects were selected will be this summer, however an election year could delay the process.
Butler County Projects:
Project: Brush Creek Watershed
Recipient: Cranberry Township
Amount: $5 million
Benefits/Justification for Taxpayer Funds: Cranberry Township’s investment to upgrading and upsizing the Plant will improve in-plant flow management, thereby improving the ability of the treatment system to respond to peak weather flows and improve the effluent quality of the discharge. The proposed upgrades will further limit hydraulic overloading, which is key to reducing the possibility of chemical containments or pathogens entering the Brush Creek Watershed.
Project: Harmony Fire District Station Construction
Recipient: Harmony Fire District
Amount: $1.5 million
Benefits/Justification for Taxpayer Funds: The Harmony Fire District Station Construction project will build a more centrally located facility that will allow for response to any fire inside the district within 8 minutes located at 424 South Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063. The relocation of the facility is a critical step in ensuring that the 9,000 residents of the fire district are equally provided services and will ensure that all health/safety/welfare for the residents is retained. Currently, the fully volunteer Harmony Fire District serves one of the fastest growing areas and the current location used for the facility does not allow for adequate movement or storage of equipment. This project will construct a roughly 10,000 Sq Ft, facility that will allow for growth as the communities continue to become denser and more diverse.
Project: Karns Crossing Bridge
Recipient: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
Amount: $7 million
Benefits/Justification for Taxpayer Funds: Located between SR 0068 and SR 0422 Section 253 and Hospital Way in Butler and Summit Townships in Butler County, PA. The project will replace a 12-span bridge that spans over the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad and the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad in addition to the Connoquenessing Creek. The project will also have intersection improvements and replace an existing twin-cell arch culvert. Additionally, there is a rail yard underneath the structure owned by the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad providing support to the rail system network supplying goods and materials throughout mid and western Pennsylvania and New York. This will improve the transportation infrastructure of the region. The Karns Crossing Bridge is a very large structure that is crucial to the transportation network of Southern Butler County. The Karns Crossing Bridge is a critical connector to the Butler Memorial Hospital. Any closure of the bridge due to structural deterioration would close and/or restrict access to the Butler Memorial Hospital. There are 2,953 businesses, and 19,842 persons employed within 3 miles of the project location. The area around the project generates roughly $2,548,026,560 in annual revenue.
- Project: State Route 68 Corridor
Recipient: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
Amount: $1.7 million
Benefits/Justification for Taxpayer Funds: The project is located along 68 corridor from just east of Stevenson Road (T-425) east to the intersection of Meridian Road/Benbrook Road (SR 3007). This project will signal replacements, installation of turn lanes, and corridor improvements in the 68 corridor. It will enhance safety and reduce congestion in the corridor. Providing a center turn lane throughout the project limits will greatly reduce traffic congestion during peak volume hours and significantly improve safety. Upgrading five signalized intersections within the corridor will improve the level of service for each one. There are 5,262 businesses, and 17,139 persons employed within 3 miles of the project. The area around the project generates roughly $884,944,118 in annual revenue.
Project: US 422 Bypass Phase 2
Recipient: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
Amount: $2.5 million
Benefits/Justification for Taxpayer Funds: Located along US 422 from Duffy Rd (SR 3039) overpass to Whipporwill Rd (Old Route 422/T-439). Project is for highway surface improvements including patching existing concrete four-lane roadway and overlay with bituminous binder and wearing courses, update drainage and guide rail, replace concrete median barrier, preservation work on structure, and other miscellaneous construction. US 422s current asphalt overlay is fatigued and in need of preventative maintenance work so that the mobility and travel safety is maintained through future life cycles. Included is preventative maintenance paving of SR 8008 ramps between SR 356 and US 422. This project will provide better corridor and highway surface consistency for both the traveling public and corridor truck traffic and will adjoin with the recently completed Butler Bypass Phase 1 project. There are 5,143 businesses, and 34,682 persons employed within 3 miles of the project location. The area around the project generates roughly $2,421,670,640 in annual revenue.