Friel: More than $2.3 million secured for district water, bridges, emergency infrastructure and capital projects
State funds offset local taxes from patrol cars to wastewater facilities
Rep. Paul Friel September 15, 2026 | 1:48 PM
POTTSTOWN, Sept. 15 – New state grants totaling more than $2.3 million will fund major municipal, law enforcement and water infrastructure improvements, equipment purchases and more in projects across Chester County.
State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, supported the projects and said that he is proud to announce funding for 13 important district projects.
“By securing these state dollars, we are directly investing in our communities’ safety and taking the financial burden off our local taxpayers,” Friel said. “These funds mean that our townships can finally move forward on critical infrastructure repairs that could stall otherwise.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Josh Shapiro and our local officials for partnering with us to champion these projects.”
The 13 grants, secured through the Commonwealth Financing Authority under the Local Share Account, are:
- Valley Forge Sewer Authority ($500,000): Replaces obsolete, unsupported electrical equipment and installs a new emergency backup generator and electrical switchgear to prevent total power failures at the wastewater treatment plant.
- East Coventry Township ($192,907): Rehabilitates the structurally deficient Ellis Woods Road Bridge by reconstructing steel beam diaphragms, reinforcing beam ends, cleaning, painting, installing a deck drain, filling scour holes, waterproofing and replacing guiderails.
- East Coventry Township ($55,000): Replaces a deteriorating 12-year-old utility truck with a new truck, stainless steel dump body, plow and chipper box for road, park and winter maintenance.
- East Coventry Township ($65,045): Replaces an aging patrol vehicle with more than 100,000 miles with a new, fully equipped vehicle.
- East Vincent Township ($50,000): Replaces aging municipal vehicles by purchasing a new public works truck equipped for hauling and snow response, along with a cyclone PTO blower to clear debris from roadways and parks.
- North Coventry Municipal Authority ($75,000): Relocates 40 linear feet of an 18-inch sanitary sewer gravity pipe and installs a 30-inch steel casing pipe to clear the footprint for the reconstruction of Bridge 311 on West Cedarville Road.
- North Coventry Municipal Authority ($530,125): Televises 1,665 linear feet of sewer line and rehabilitates sections of pipe using CIPP lining, while also repairing and sealing 18 structural manholes.
- North Coventry Municipal Authority ($100,000): Replaces the 1997 deteriorating roofs on four wastewater treatment plant buildings and repairs concrete cracks and surface coatings on a plant clarifier.
- North Coventry Township ($100,000): Purchases a new ambulance for the Good Will Ambulance Co. to replace an aging emergency vehicle.
- North Coventry Township ($100,000): Funds the engineering and construction costs to replace the Laurelwood Road Bridge, which has been closed to traffic over Pigeon Creek due to unsafe structural conditions.
- North Coventry Water Authority ($300,000): Replaces 1,500 feet of leaking cast iron and leaded pipes with new ductile iron pipes, fittings and a new meter pit across multiple streets to improve water quality and system reliability.
- East Pikeland Twp. ($78,357): Purchases a truck with traffic-enforcement upfitting including sirens, lights and mounting equipment. The vehicle will be used for traffic enforcement activities, especially at vehicular accidents. The vehicle will also be deployed to accidents in neighboring municipalities, maximizing its value and impact.
- Chester County ($252,761): Implements flood safety equipment, sensors and signs throughout Chester County as part of the county’s Water Resources Authority’s Flood Safety and Resilience Initiative Pilot Project.
The Local Share Account is funded by gaming revenues and local share assessments generated by licensed gaming facilities such as casinos and racetracks. Funds can be used for public interest projects such as building acquisition, facility construction and renovation, purchase of vehicles and equipment, and other uses that improve quality of life for residents.
“Upgrading our regional infrastructure isn't just about fixing what's broken – it’s about protecting the long-term well-being of our residents,” Friel said. “These improvements to our utilities, streets and community spaces lay the groundwork for a safer, more stable environment where our families and local economies can thrive for generations.”
More information is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/local-share-account-lsa-statewide/.