$4 million awarded for infrastrure work
Borough officials have taken the first step toward using $4 million in grant funds recently awarded to Lansdale.
Council voted unanimously to start the engineering work for one of two projects to be covered by state funds.
“Lansdale borough is pleased to announce that, as of this morning, we were awarded two significant PennVest funding packages, totaling $4 million, to support critical infrastructure and environmental improvement projects throughout the community,” said borough Manager John Ernst.
Over the past several years, council and staff have discussed whether to pursue a long-term capital project bond, similar to several done in the early 2010s, to tackle road repairs and other long-term infrastructure needs, but tabled talks on a new bond last year amid questions on the town’s financial records for 2023 and 2024, which officials say have since been largely resolved.
On April 15 county and state officials announced the borough would receive part of a total of $284.2 million awarded to towns across the state, and said the funds would go to upgrading sewer infrastructure below roads, then the roads themselves.
The first funding package of $3 million will fund sanitary sewer and stormwater repairs in the area of North Cannon Avenue and Poplar Avenue, “addressing aging infrastructure and reducing localized flooding concerns,” the manager said.
The remaining $1 million “will support the restoration of the Neshaminy Creek streambank, which is in the vicinity of North Valley Forge Road and Eighth Street, helping to stabilize the stream corridor, improve water quality, and enhance long-term environmental resilience,” per the manager.
“The award of this funding represents a significant investment in Lansdale Borough’s infrastructure, and long-term resilience. It enables the borough to proactively address critical system needs, strengthen environmental stewardship, and enhance public health and safety,” he said.
A first step toward using the funding has already been approved, with council voting on April 15 to authorize borough engineers Remington and Vernick to develop a design and oversee the use of those funds, the manager said. Bid documents included in council’s meeting materials set a price of just over $29,000 for the engineer “to provide design, bidding, and construction management services,” and say the project includes roadway reconstruction and grading, sewer and storm sewer upgrades and replacement, ADA curb ramps, curb and sidewalk replacement, pavement markings and line striping.
“We will provide additional updates on project timelines and construction activities as the information becomes available,” he said.
Council President Meg Currie Teoh thanked Ernst on behalf of council for the update, and for seeing that the two grant applications had been submitted properly to secure the funding.
“That was outstanding news, for sure,” she said.
Lansdale’s administration and finance and public works committees next meet at 6:30 p.m. on May 6 and full borough council meets that night at 8:30 p.m., both at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine Street. For more information visit www.Lansdale.org.
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