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$650k Grant for Mack Blvd Project

04/21/2021
$650k Grant for Mack Blvd Project

The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded funding today for a lighting project on Mack Boulevard in the city through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne and Representative Pete Schweyer collaborated to secure a grant of $650,000 for street lighting improvements from Emaus Avenue to Trout Creek. The improvements are part of a larger city-driven effort to revitalize the Mack Boulevard corridor and expand walkability. The project will replace existing light poles with 47 new LED streetlights. Completion of the project will enable consistent lighting to illuminate the roadway and immediate roadside, improving visibility for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians on this corridor.

“These funds represent tremendous improvements along a heavily traveled city corridor, creating a safer and more vibrant environment,” Senator Browne said. “When completed, Mack Boulevard will be more pedestrian friendly and serve to better connect the city’s residents with the businesses and jobs along this corridor and the surrounding area.”

“As part of the ongoing improvements within Allentown, a focus has been on expanding the walkability of the city,” said Representative Schweyer. “There is a large apartment complex, public pool and 1st class office space along this stretch of Mack Blvd.  All of which generate significant foot traffic at any given time of day. The addition of this lighting will improve neighborhood safety and quality of life for nearby residents.  I am pleased to work with Senator Browne to secure the necessary funding for this project.”

“The new streetlights will be a tremendous safety enhancement to a one mile stretch of Mack Boulevard which has been made even more popular by the installation of bicycle lanes,” Mayor Ray O’Connell said. “We look forward to getting started on preliminary engineering and final design work, so construction can begin sometime next year, and we thank Senator Browne and Representative Schweyer for their assistance in securing the grant funding for the project.”

The CFA was established as an independent agency of the Commonwealth to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth.

The CFA awards the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Fund grants, which aim to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the Commonwealth.

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