web1_PennDOT_Richard-Roman-copy1.jpg

Roman named district executive for PennDOT Engineering District 4

web1_Opioids-c.jpg

Opioid overdose admissions decline more slowly in Luzerne County than statewide

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Nearly $660,000 in funding for several Luzerne County projects was announced Tuesday by the Commonwealth Finance Authority.</p><p>Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin announced 151 new project approvals through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for environmental and infrastructure projects in counties across Pennsylvania.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s important to take a holistic approach to investing in our communities, recognizing that there are intrinsic links between environmental health, mental and physical health, and economic health,&#8221; Davin said. &#8220;As one affects the other, our investments need to be both strategic and intentional. This funding will help improve communities, protect the environment, and enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth.&#8221;</p><p>The 152 Act 13 projects approved are in 43 counties &#8212; total funding amount is more than $20 million.</p><p>State Sen. John Yudichak and state Reps. Gerald Mullery and Eddie Day Pashinski announced funding for several projects in their districts.</p><p>&#8220;Pennsylvania&#8217;s Act 13 investment in important infrastructure projects like the Railroad Street Flood Mitigation Project in Newport Township and closing the gaps on the Delaware and Lehigh Trail will help to sustain and promote continued economic growth in Luzerne County,&#8221; said Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township.</p><p>Some of the projects receiving funding:</p><p>&#8226; Newport Township Railroad Street Flood Mitigation Project, $160,000, that will eliminate dangers and flooding associated with a potential future sidewalk and culvert collapse on Railroad Street.</p><p>&#8226; The North Branch Land Trust, $115,000, to construct six miles of the Delaware &amp; Lehigh Trail beginning in Oliver Mills, Laurel Run Borough, to Giants Despair in Wilkes-Barre Township. The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is a 165-mile trail that begins in Bristol Borough in Bucks County and ends in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>&#8226; The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, $50,000 for the Spring Run Stream Restoration Project for both the design and construction of the stream bank restoration and riparian buffer plantings. The project is being implemented to reduce erosion, sedimentation and nutrients in Spring Run and Solomon Creek.</p><p>&#8226; Rice Township Park Phase II Improvements, $243,945, to construct a 71,000 square foot multipurpose/soccer field at its 21-acre park to better accommodate the community&#8217;s recreational needs.</p><p>&#8226; Kingston, Church Street Park and Playground Improvement, $250,000.</p><p>&#8226; Avoca, $62,672, for the MS4 Pollutant Reduction Plan through the Watershed Restoration and Protection Program.</p><p>&#8220;On behalf of the commissioners and residents of Newport Township, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the work done by Senator Yudichak to procure funding of this critical piece of infrastructure improvement,&#8221; said Peter Wanchisen, Newport Township manager. &#8220;Railroad Street will be made safer and more eye appealing when the work is completed. The project will have a very positive impact on the quality of life for the residents of Newport Township.&#8221;</p><p>Elissa Garofalo, executive director, Delaware &amp; Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, said building the D&amp;L Trail is a group effort.</p><p>&#8220;The Act 13 grant funding awarded to North Branch Land Trust demonstrates the key role the Commonwealth plays in connecting this universally accessible pathway for residents and visitors alike,&#8221; Garofalo said.</p><p>Yudichak said he has worked with the entire Northeast Legislative delegation to help reduce the costs of WVSA&#8217;s regional stormwater management program.</p><p>&#8220;I would like to thank the CFA board for approving these grants and recognizing the importance to their local communities,&#8221; said Mullery, D-Newport Township.</p><p>Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said each of these grants will help to fund important projects improving the quality of life in the region.</p><p>&#8220;Once completed, these efforts will reduce pollution and provide another tremendous opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Northeast PA,&#8221; Pashinski said.</p><p>Pashinski said the North Branch Land Trust&#8217;s grant will go towards the construction of the final 6 miles of the 165-mile D&amp;L Heritage corridor and includes Laurel Run Borough, Plains and Wilkes-Barre townships. The trail will begin in Oliver Mills and end at North Hampton Street in Wilkes-Barre Township. The project includes trail construction, installation of wood fencing and gates at pedestrian crossings, signage and more.</p><p>Hanover Township&#8217;s grant will go toward the restoration of a 600-foot reach of Spring Run flowing into Solomon Creek, both of which were listed as Impaired Waters in the 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report.</p><p>&#8220;This project will stabilize the stream bank, reduce erosion and reestablish 35-foot-wide riparian buffers on each side of the stream through plantings,&#8221; Pashinski said.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Pashinski-cmyk.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Pashinski </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Pashinski-cmyk.jpg</photo0><caption0>Pashinski </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_retreat03CMYK.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Yudichak </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_retreat03CMYK.jpg</photo1><caption1>Yudichak </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Luzerne County projects receive more than $660,000 in CFA funding