HARRISBURG – Part of Old Route 126 in Union Township impacted by a landslide will be repaired through a $350,000 state grant, Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) said.
“Work funded through this grant is poised to allow officials to re-open Old Route 126, alleviating long detours for residents and extended emergency response times,” Topper said. “This will undoubtably be welcome news for residents.”
Old Route 126 has been closed for years because of the road shifting due to a landslide issue in the area that is impacting the stability of the road. The work includes the excavation of the area, backfilling with aggregate, installation of a roadway subbase and pavement, installation of cross pipes, and placement of rock on the downhill slope to stabilize the area. Funding for the project comes from the Local Share Account grant program through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
“This most recent grant award for Union Township is much-needed since damage from a landslide has made the road unusable, causing substantial detours for residents and emergency responders. With this road fixed, residents will be able to travel more efficiently and enjoy a closer, safer, more connected community,” Ward said.
Projects eligible for funding from the Local Share Account must be in the public interest and aim to improve the quality of life of citizens in the community.
In addition, the Forbes Road School District was awarded $398,475 in Public School Facility Improvement Grant funds to upgrade the 69-year-old HVAC system at the Forbes Road Elementary School. The project includes a new ventilation system with energy-efficient systems including air purification technologies and smart ventilation controls to optimize air quality and engineering costs.