PennDOT Announces New Scenic Byway Designation for the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway in Chester and Delaware counties has received a National Scenic Byways (NSB) Designation from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

“We are thrilled that another one of our Pennsylvania’s Byways has achieved National Scenic Byways status,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The beautiful, historic Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is more than deserving of this honor.”

The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway directly adjoins a national scenic byway of the same name in the state of Delaware and extends the route into Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley. The history encompassed within the Byway spans from the settling and early development of the nation through the Revolutionary War, the struggle for freedom on the Underground Railroad, to the creation of world class cultural institutions by the families who had made the Brandywine Valley their home. The scenic qualities arise from the land itself, which fortunately has been protected due to its fine agricultural assets and the forward thinking and means that the residents possessed to protect and conserve the landscape.

The 25-mile route in Pennsylvania, when joined with the Delaware Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway, forms a figure eight encompassing Route 52 starting at the Delaware state line, traveling north to Route 162, and returning via Creek Road back to the Delaware state line.

Commenting on the designation, John Haedrich, Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Commission chair said, “The vision for the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is that it will continue to be a place with a deep and varied history recognizable in the landscape and intertwined with a distinctive natural environment and pastoral scenic vistas—vibrant threads which together make a rich tapestry for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.”

This effort also entailed the support of seven participating municipalities including Birmingham Township, Chadds Ford Township, East Bradford Township, East Marlborough Township, Kennett Township, Pennsbury Township, and Pocopson Township.  In addition, letters of support were provided to FHWA by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Chester County Planning Commission, Delaware County Planning Commission, Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, and numerous other stakeholders.

The National Scenic Byways Program, established by Congress in 1991, recognizes historic, scenic, natural, archeological, cultural and recreational qualities and promotes tourism and economic development in nearby communities. Pennsylvania created its own Byways Program in 2001 – as a local grassroots program – and is managed by PennDOT. Pennsylvania boasts 21 byways, four of which now are FHWA National Scenic Byways.

AMBRIDGE, March 10 – As more community organizations begin plans to reopen, a $12,000 state grant to Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge will help Beaver County’s oldest operating synagogue meet security needs, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the grant, awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program to protect potential hate-crime targets, will ensure that when the congregation – which suspended activities during the pandemic – decides to welcome back families, it will be able to provide the safest possible environment.

“We need to ensure that the folks returning are safe from security risks,” Matzie said. “The funding will help ensure those protections are in place.”

In addition to the funding to Beth Samuel, Matzie said 29 organizations in Allegheny County were awarded grants totaling approximately $1.53 million.

He said organizations may use the funding for a broad range of resources, including safety and security planning and training, threat assessments, security upgrades, and the purchase of metal detectors, electronic locksets, surveillance equipment and other technology.

The grants are part of a larger package of more than $5 million awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving people or groups the FBI has identified as potential hate-crime targets. Now in its second year, the program was established by Act 83 of 2019, largely in response to the Tree of Life shootings in Pittsburgh.

It is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Because of the large number of applications and limited funding, priority was given to applicants whose organization or membership was the victim of a hate crime and had clearly justified a credible hate-crime threat.

More about the grants is available here.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Monaca, Pa.) Monaca Borough Manager David Kramer reported Wednesday afternoon  that a 24 hour boil water advisory went into effect last night after water service was restored in downtown Monaca.  A scheduled valve replacement  took place yesterday, Kramer reported. Anyone in need of water during the advisory can go to the water filling station  at Fire Department #4 on Monaca Heights.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) At Monday night’s work session for the Hopewell  Area School Board the board  approved a letter written to teachers who are eligible for retirement  under the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive program. The letter was effective, Monday, 8, 2021.