Hanbidge announces more than $725,000 in grants

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – In an effort to provide the state funding necessary for valuable programs in her legislative district, Rep. Liz Hanbidge announced a $650,000 grant for Whitpain Township for the engineering and improved development of an intersection, as well as a $76,181 grant for Upper Gwynedd Township for flood planning and analysis.

“The state has answered the call for two projects that will protect the safety and well-being of residents in our legislative district,” Hanbidge said. “Whitpain Township will be able to re-engineer an offset Y-intersection and ultimately replace it with a roundabout at the intersection of Walton Road and Stenton Avenue. It will also be able to improve pedestrian safety through upgraded signage and ADA accommodations.”

The grant will allow Whitpain Township to evaluate a single vs. multi-lane roundabout during the traffic analysis phase to change the two intersections, currently located about 400 feet apart.

“Upper Gwynedd Township will be able to conduct a Hydrologic and Hydraulic analysis of Haines Run in order to examine eroded streambanks, find ways to reduce sediment runoff into Wissahickon Creek and improve flood protection,” Hanbidge said.

Stream banks along Haines Run are in fair to poor condition, with evidence of bank failure and the presence of trees undermined by erosion.

Whitpain Township will receive its funds through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, which provides grants for economic development and to preserve, rehabilitate and improve safe transportation. Grants can range from $100,000 to $3 million.

Upper Gwynedd Township received its funds through the Flood Mitigation Program, which provides grants for projects authorized by a flood protection authority, including the Department of Environmental Protection, or local government. The funds are paid through Act 13 and its establishment of the Marcellus Legacy Fund. The fund provides for the collection of impact fees for unconventional gas wells and the distribution of those fees to counties, municipalities and state agencies.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority, which is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development, approved both grants Friday.