Harrisburg – December 6, 2016 — Three local projects located along busy corridors in Philadelphia and Montgomery County were awarded significant state funding to improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety and help create jobs, according to state Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery).
“These are important grants that will fund significant improvements in our local transportation network and generate new employment opportunities,” Haywood said.
The City of Philadelphia Commerce Department was awarded a $500,000 state grant for pedestrian lighting improvements within the Chestnut Hill Commercial Corridor along Germantown Avenue from Mermaid Lane to Rex Avenue, and along Bethlehem Pike from Germantown to Chestnut Hill avenues.
Cheltenham Township was awarded a $500,000 state grant for Phase II the Elkins Park West Transportation & Pedestrian Improvements Project, which includes improving traffic and pedestrian safety at two locations on Old York Road. The project involves installing pedestrian lighting, improved sidewalks, detectable warning surfaces, pedestrian signals and crosswalks, as well as the installation of a left turn lane to improve traffic flow.
Abington Township was awarded a $900,000 state grant for intersection improvements at Old York Road and Susquehanna Road to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and accessibility and vehicular mobility, as well as enhance an existing SEPTA stop. In October, the state Department of Transportation awarded a grant of $565,000 to fund intersection mobility and other safety improvements at the site.
“Each of these improvement projects are located along busy corridors that are utilized by motorists, pedestrians, and SEPTA commuters who live, work, shop, and commute here,” said Haywood. “These projects will improve the streetscape and enhance safety, making the communities a safer place to live, work, and visit.”
The funds were administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. The CFA is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer funding for economic development projects.
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