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LUZERNE COUNTY — Gambling-revenue grants totaling $11.2 million were awarded this week, and another $4.8 million was announced through the Luzerne County Multi-modal Transportation Fund.
State Sen. John Yudichak said eight projects in the 14th Senatorial District received $3.25 million in state funding through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multi-modal program.
“As new economic development brings more jobs to Luzerne County, we must make sound investments in infrastructure projects that support the rapid growth that is occurring,” Yudichak said in a press release.
• The Earth Conservancy will receive $500,000 for the Loomis Bank Access Road Project. The roadway, located in Hanover Township, will connect the Earth Conservancy’s reclaimed Loomis Bank and an adjacent parcel to the South Valley Parkway with the intent of stimulating economic development on the sites. Loomis Bank is part of Hanover Crossings. Yudichak worked with Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, to secure the funding.
“The Earth Conservancy has been a vital part of the development of the lower South Valley,” Mullery said. “I look forward to continued success and revitalization of former mine scarred lands and the creation of family sustaining jobs in the South Valley.”
• Luzerne County will be receiving $200,000 for the Hanover Industrial Estates Improvement Project. The project will include the installation of sidewalks and curbs with ADA accessibility and the placement of 18 bus shelters throughout the industrial park.
“This funding is vital in ensuring pedestrian safety as more people are being hired to work at Chewy.com, Adidas, and Patagonia in the Hanover Industrial Estates,” said Luzerne County Manager Dave Pedri. “I appreciate the support of Sen. Yudichak and the Luzerne County delegation in helping to secure this funding.”
• In Plains Township, JCJ Holdings II LLC will receive $250,000 toward the Plains Shopping Center Traffic Control Project. This project includes a traffic signal, road widening and turning lanes that are necessary for bringing in new retailers to the shopping center along River Street.
• Also, in Plains Township, $800,000 will go toward the Wilkes-Barre Area School District Access Project, which contains three components designed to improve safety and flow adjacent to the newly proposed Wilkes-Barre Area High School. The components are recommendations made by PennDOT and include a school driveway at Main Street and a school driveway at Maffett Street as well as removing the Northampton Fuel Road at Main Street.
“As we continue to bring in more retailers to the Plains Shopping Center, we need to ensure that our roads can handle the increase in traffic,” said Plains Township Board of Commissioners Chairman Gerald Yozwiak. “Additionally, the funding received for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District Access Project is vital for improving safety and traffic flow as the school district works to construct their new high school on the remediated 78 acre site.”
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said the school district project will create a state-of-the-art high school that students desperately deserve.
“And with any large building project, traffic issues must be addressed,” Pashinski said. “These safety improvements are necessary to ensure the proper traffic flow as recommended by PennDOT and I’m confident they’ll help congestion in the area.”
• The City of Wilkes-Barre will receive $600,000 for the King’s College Multi-modal Transportation Improvement Project. This project includes the replacement of deteriorated sidewalks, curbs, ADA ramps, pavement markings, and brick pavers as well as the installation of pedestrian crosswalks with flashing pedestrian beacons, pedestrian lampposts and lighting utilizing energy efficient LED lights and the installation of benches, trash cans, trees and signage.
More grants
State Rep. Aaron Kaufer announced that $1.2 million in grants will be distributed to three boroughs in the 120th Legislative District to improve transportation and pedestrian mobility:
• Forty Fort Borough was awarded $600,000 for a pedestrian/bike trail to connect with the existing levee trail that ends on Church Street in Kingston to the Luzerne County Levee Trail adjacent to River Street in Forty Fort.
• Luzerne Borough was awarded $100,000 to start a plan to improve its sidewalks and streetscape. Under the project, 26,900 square-feet of sidewalk pavers, 14 crosswalks, 40 directional signs, 60 street lamps and 40 trees will be installed in the area of Main and Turner streets.
• Swoyersville Borough will receive $500,000 to mill and repave 13 streets that need refurbishment. In addition, Americans with Disability Act-compliant curb ramps will be installed and crosswalk markings reapplied after paving.
• Kingston Borough will receive $300,000 for the Recreation Center Improvement Project.
More than $2.1 million in state grants have been awarded to fund 13 projects in Rep. Gerald Mullery’s 119th Legislative District:
• Slocum Township will use its $350,000 grant to build a 4,320 square-foot fire station with a four-bay garage for the Slocum Township Volunteer Fire Co. that is expected to be completed by July 2021.
• West Hazleton will receive $225,000 for replacing a deteriorated bridge over Black Creek along Jaycee Drive that is vital to Valmont Industrial Park.
• Plymouth Borough will use its $150,000 grant to purchase vehicles. Borough Secretary Holly Speece said the money will also help update police cruisers with all of the newest equipment.
• A $100,000 grant to Wright Township will help to buy and install lights at the Mountaintop Area Little League complex.
