(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie announced today that new grants totaling nearly $2.7 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund multiple water infrastructure improvements and the purchase of new police and fire vehicles for Beaver County municipalities.

Matzie confirmed that many of the 17 grants secured will support construction and engineering costs to improve municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater services. 

According to a release from Matzie’s office, Matzie said the funding includes:

• $300,000 to Ambridge Borough for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck to replace the current unit, which has exceeded its useful life.
• $300,000 to Baden Borough to allow the Baden Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new fire engine to replace an aging, malfunctioning one.
• $250,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace deteriorating and undersized infrastructure in the water distribution system along Old Brodhead Road, including replacement of 2,300 feet of waterline plus service reconnections and site restoration.
• $250,000 to Hopewell Township to address frequent, localized flooding at Hopewell Community Park through 500 feet of stream restoration, riparian buffer planting and storm sewer installation.
• $200,000 to the Aliquippa Municipal Water Authority to replace 35,000 feet of antiquated cast iron waterlines joined with leaded sealant in the Plan 6 area constructed in the1900s-1930s. Work will include 50 water service line replacements, service reconnections and site restoration.
• $200,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace 1,500 feet of aging/undersized waterlines on Elm Drive, part of Highland Avenue, and Chestnut Drive between Old Brodhead Road and Highland Avenue (plus service reconnections and site restoration) to improve reliability and fire protection.
• $200,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace 1,700 feet of aging/undersized waterlines along Wickham Drive to reduce line breaks, service disruptions and improve pressure and fire safety. Work will include two new hydrants, service reconnections and site restoration.
• $150,000 to Baden Borough to repair an aging stormwater system causing poor drainage along State Route 2012/Philips Street. Work will include replacing 258 feet of pipe and treating another 1,459 feet with cure-in-place pipe lining.
• $150,000 to Center Township for storm sewer improvements to reduce flooding along Golfview Drive adjacent to Beaver Valley Mall, including replacing 770 feet of storm sewer pipe, seven inlets, and one manhole; spot repair to 200 feet of concrete curb; and site restoration work.
• $100,000 to Center Township to replace the existing stormwater culvert that carries the Moon Run stream under Wolfe Drive to improve water quality and motorist safety. Work will include installing a new culvert, storm sewers and related infrastructure, plus site restoration.
• $100,000 to Conway Borough to help the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department purchase six new patrol vehicles for use in Baden, Conway and Freedom boroughs and Rochester Township.
• $100,000 to the Freedom Borough Collection and Conveyance Authority for critical rehabilitation work to 3,785 feet of aging sanitary sewer infrastructure on 6^th to 8^th avenues between 14^th and 18^th streets, to restore pipe integrity and prevent blockages and overflows.
• $100,000 to Harmony Township for landslide remediation work to address areas of slope movement along Forest, Ridge and Valley roads. The project will include stabilizing active slide areas, anchoring unstable soils, constructing reinforced walls and other work.
• $100,000 to Rochester Area Joint Sewer Authority to replace the treatment plant’s belt filter press, which filters out sludge from water.
• $75,000 to Ambridge Water Authority to replace 650 feet of aging waterline along Maplewood Avenue in Ambridge, install 1,560 feet of restrained joint ductile iron pipe, replace lead lines as identified, reconnect 80 water services, install hydrants and perform site restoration.
• $75,000 to Rochester Township to demolish the existing exposed salt storage structure and construct a new, enclosed salt storage pole barn to safely house winter deicing materials.
• $25,000 to Rochester Borough for equipment for the Rochester Borough Police Department.

These grants come from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account, which is funded by gaming revenue and local share assessments that are generated by licensed gaming facilities such as casinos and racetracks.