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Eight transportation improvement proposals in Berks County will receive a combined $2.8 million in state grant funding through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.The Pennsylvania Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to residents.
“Ensuring that residents and visitors have safe and reliable ways to get to their workplaces or to shop on our main streets is key to Pennsylvania’s economic growth,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Sigersaid said in a statement announcing the grant recipients.Siger said these investments will help communities improve their transportation systems across the state.Funds can be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit development.
The recipients for Berks projects:• Washington Township will receive $116,782 to make pedestrian crossing improvements on Niantic Road.• Reading was awarded $200,000 to implement pedestrian safety improvements along Skyline Drive.• Refined Plastics, a plastics manufacturer from King of Prussia, will receive $250,000 to make upgrades to the rail terminal at a former coal generating power plant in Cumru Township.
• Spring Township was awarded $250,000 to replace curbs and install ramps on Harvard Boulevard.• PDC Northeast, a Delaware-based development company, will receive $500,000 to make transportation improvements related to the construction of the Southern Berks Industrial Park in New Morgan.• Home Elite Limited, a company located in Montgomery County, was awarded $700,000 to make improvements related to the construction of the Perry Commercial Center on Moceri Drive.
• Philly Office Retail, a real estate development company based in Philadelphia, was awarded $850,000 to install new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, planters, trees, bicycle racks and benches at the corners of Fifth and Penn streets in Reading.State Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep.
Manny Guzman released a statement applauding the funding — particularly for the money that will be used to make improvements to Penn Square in Reading.“This project is at the very center of our city and plays right into the ongoing redevelopment of downtown Reading,” Schwank said. “I believe we all want to see Penn Street thrive and become a driver of new economic opportunity for Reading and Berks County.
”The Wyomissing Democrat said she will do whatever she can to support forward-thinking projects like this one.“I am excited to welcome these grants that will support pedestrian protection, creating pedestrian-safe roads in our city,” Guzman added. “Infrastructure development is a critical component for economic growth.
”The Reading Democrat said that as a member of the House Transportation Committee, he is even more committed and equipped to help improve the quality of the infrastructure and transportation systems in the community.“I am advocating for more efficient and accessible systems and structures for all users,” he said..
