{"id":1327,"date":"2024-06-24T15:23:18","modified":"2024-08-30T13:47:38","slug":"fetterman-casey-deluzio-announce-25-million-for-sharpsburg-infrastructure-project","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/fetterman-casey-deluzio-announce-25-million-for-sharpsburg-infrastructure-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Fetterman, Casey, Deluzio Announce $25 Million for Sharpsburg Infrastructure Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Washington, D.C. \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) along with Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) today announced a nearly $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support the Borough of Sharpsburg\u2019s \u201cReconnecting the Allegheny Riverfront to Economic Opportunity Project.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0grant will\u00a0support\u00a0construction of\u00a0a 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/strong>This federal funding is a massive win for the people of Sharpsburg,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0said Senator Fetterman. \u201cThis project will allow the community to turn a blighted former rail yard into an engine for economic revitalization,\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0benefits will be felt for generations.\u00a0Securing this level of funding for a smaller community like Sharpsburg is no small feat \u2013 I\u2019m 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 \u2013 this grant is proof that we\u2019re doing just that.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we passed the infrastructure law, I fought to ensure we were making our communities better places to live for Pennsylvanians,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>said Senator Casey.\u00a0\u201cBy 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI am so proud that we are delivering this $25 million dollar federal investment in Sharpsburg,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>said Congressman Chris Deluzio.\u00a0\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis grant represents a monumental opportunity for our\u00a0historic\u00a0river town, with potential impacts that are truly unprecedented,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>said Sharpsburg Borough Manager Christine DeRunk.\u00a0\u201cWe 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.\u00a0We cannot emphasize enough how much these funds will help transform our community\u00a0andimprove quality of life, catalyze economic development, enhance recreation and promote environmental stewardship.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s area, has remained blighted due to insufficient transportation infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false}}