Heffley, Yudichak Announce State Grant for Lehighton Safety Upgrades

April 21, 2021

HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Sen. John Yudichak (I-14) today announced the awarding of $250,000 in state funding for infrastructure safety improvements in Lehighton Borough, Carbon County.

Made available through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, the grant will be used to assist with pedestrian safety and traffic-calming upgrades in the borough’s Waterfront area. The work along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard and Lehigh Drive will include a 6-foot-wide walkway, crosswalks, curb extensions, ADA ramps and signage. In addition, the continuous left-turn lane along the boulevard will be removed.

“I was pleased to play a role in securing this funding for a project that will make Lehighton safer and also boost the local economy,” said Heffley. “The pedestrian walkway planned along Lehigh Drive will provide access to the new Lehighton Outdoor Center. On top of expecting more than 20,000 people a year to participate in kayaking, bicycling or rafting excursions, the center is the trailhead to the Lehighton Spur of the D&L Trail, which draws additional recreational users. Not only will this project focus on encouraging pedestrian and bike traffic, but it will also increase safety for all travelers in the area. I can’t wait for its completion.”

“The Borough of Lehighton, along with steady support and investment from the Commonwealth, has done a great job of developing and revitalizing its waterfront section, which has had a considerable economic impact on not only the borough, but also the surrounding region,” added Yudichak. “As our communities in Carbon County continue to grow thanks to a flourishing tourism industry, it’s important that we continue to make the necessary transportation infrastructure investments to keep pedestrians and motorists safe.”

Lehighton Borough officials were pleased to hear of the grant award and said in a statement, “Paired with the receipt of the Local Share grant award, the borough will be able to make improvements for the safety of pedestrians and vehicles along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard. This grant assists with the goal of safely connecting the Lehigh River, the D&L Trail and our businesses along Lehigh Drive to the downtown district. We have been planning this project since the completion of the Waterfront Traffic Study in 2018 and look forward to making the improvements a reality.”

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to state residents.

The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.

Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley