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Brown Announces More than $2.5 Million in Local Infrastructure Improvements

I am pleased to have assisted in securing the necessary funding for important projects and upgrades within our region. Investing in our infrastructure is essential for the safety, growth, and prosperity of our communities. These grants are a significant step toward our ongoing efforts to ensure our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces are safe and accessible. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have in the district.

The grants, awarded through Commonwealth Finance Agency’s Multimodal Transportation Fund are to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth include. These projects include:

• Westfield North, LLC: $538,737 to realign the intersection of RT447 and Franklin Hill Road, greatly improving safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
• Jermyn Borough: $500,000 for roadway improvements along a portion of Bacon Street and Old Mills Road, significantly improving road safety and condition.
• Honesdale Borough: $450,000 for streetscape improvements along Main Street, improving both aesthetics and pedestrian access.
• Covington Township: $292,516 for the milling and paving of Havenstrite Lane and Richland Road, addressing critical road maintenance needs.
• Archbald Borough: $250,000 to construct sidewalks along Columbus Drive, enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility.
• Pocono Township: $216,235 to construct a roundabout and pedestrian safety improvements at the Learn Road and Fish Hill Road intersections, enhancing traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
• Roaring Brook Township: $210,528 to repave Spencer Road, ensuring smoother and safer travel for residents.
• South Canaan Township: $130,000 to replace the South Baker Road Bridge, crucial for safe and efficient transportation.

Multimodal Transportation Fund awards may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

I-80 Backup and RT611 Closure

What seems like a regular occurrence, on March 26^th at 7:00 AM, I-80 East was shut down due to a vehicle fire. Not that we need another reason to exemplify our community’s desperate need to re-open RT611… this prolonged closure has been absolutely devastating to the Boroughs of Delaware Water Gap and Portland.

As I have been saying from the beginning, the RT611 closure also poses a SIGNIFICANT public safety concern for our region. As a reminder, this section of RT80 has already been classified as a “safety-corridor” due to our high accident rates.

The RT611 closure is unacceptable to our residents. Internally, there is movement forward and growing consensus between the National Park Service and PennDOT. As a reminder, PennDOT has been ready to begin the work since January 2023. However, because the road runs through the National Park Service, the work requires a permit from that agency.

As your voice, I will continue to keep the pressure on these agencies to move forward expeditiously to reopen RT611. We are getting there…

Always remember, you can visit PA 511 for traffic alerts and updates.

My Little Town – with Gary Cee

I was pleased to join Gary Cee on his show, “My Little Town” on Poco 103. Click here to listen to our conversation.

PA Broadband Development Authority Unveils New Website

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) launched a new website aimed at offering visitors a more intuitive experience.

New features include a navigation panel for locating information; quick links to hot topic resources; real-time data on unserved/underserved locations, projects awarded and funding allocated; and resources that are specifically tailored for various audiences.

Created by the General Assembly, the mission of the PBDA is to expand access to high-speed internet. The authority is accepting applications until April 20 from community anchor institutions and units of local government to fund community projects that enable public work, education and health monitoring.

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