Shearer Bridge preservation tops list of 2024 Kelly funding requests
A $4.5 million project to preserve the Shearer Bridge in Butler Township is high atop the list of funding priorities for U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, for next year.
On Wednesday, May 10, Kelly released his list of 37 Community Project Funding applications for the 2024 fiscal year, which amount to more than $18.7 million. Five of these funding requests come from Butler County and amount to $11,450,000.
Three of the remaining four funding requests for Butler County are dedicated to the renovation or construction of volunteer fire department stations around the area, while the fifth is for the replacement of more than 7,000 feet of water line along Route 19 in Cranberry Township.
"It's so important to remember that every dollar that comes to Washington first comes out of a hardworking taxpayer's pocket. We selected these projects because they give taxpayers the greatest return on their investment," Kelly said in a statement.
Shearer Bridge is located at the intersection of state Route 68 and U.S. Route 422, passing over both the Connoquenessing Creek and a rail yard. The bridge is rated in “fair” condition by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“Occasionally roadways and bridges need some preservation work,” said Christina Gibbs, community relations coordinator for PennDOT. “To keep bridges in fair condition, we'll do preservation work on them so it keeps us from having to do any massive repair work later.”
The preservation work will include replacing bearings at certain locations, repairing some concrete, and repainting parts of the bridge for added protection and aesthetic beauty.
PennDOT held public meetings on the preservation project Dec. 15 and 16. At the moment, the project is expected to commence in the spring of 2025 and last for a full year. The bridge is expected to stay open throughout the upgrade with some lane closures.
Aside from the bridge refurbishment, the bulk of funding requests for the county have been made by local fire departments.
The Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company is requesting $2 million for the construction of a new fire station. According to the fire company’s website, the current fire house on Connoquenessing Main Street was built in the late 1800s and is no longer suitable for a modern-day fire department.
“The apparatus bays are too small to house a modern fire engine, and there are not enough bays to house the various firefighting apparatus and equipment we currently utilize,” reads the donation page on the department’s webpage.
The fire company is receiving additional funding for the construction from an increase in the fire tax that was passed by the Connoquenessing Township supervisors in late 2021. The department also is soliciting donations from the public through its website.
The new firehouse is expected to be built at the intersection of Route 68 and Main Street in Connoquenessing, on property which has been owned by the fire company for nearly 50 years.
The Butler Township Volunteer Fire District also is seeking funding to construct a new firehouse, in the amount of $1.25 million. According to township manager Tom Knights, this funding, if received, would cover approximately 25% of the cost of construction.
“Our hope is to have it under construction within the next three years,” Knights said.
The department plans to build the new firehouse on the same property as Butler Township’s municipal building, although designs for the station have not been finalized yet.
“The determination of the site was approved by commissioners a couple years ago,” Knights said. “The actual design is going to get advanced. The appropriation certainly helped.”
In addition, the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company is seeking $500,000 for a new pumper tanker. Its current tanker does not meet National Fire Protection Association standards and, according to the request, “poses safety risks to the personnel.”
Cranberry Township also is seeking $3.2 million in funding to replace more than 7,000 feet of outdated water line along Route 19. According to township manager Dan Santoro, the township has experienced frequent issues with this section of waterline — including a break as recently as May 3 which shut down northbound traffic.
The requested funding, if received, would cover the bulk of the replacement project, which is estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million. If secured, Santoro estimates that the project could begin as early as this summer.
“This is one of the older waterlines in the township that we’re looking to replace,” said Santoro. “By securing this funding, it will allow us to advance this essential project.”
