The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) today (November 12) awarded a $2.5 million state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant to Millcreek Township, Erie County, according to Senator Dan Laughlin and Representative Ryan Bizzarro.
Millcreek Township will use the funding to build a multipurpose trail between the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and Presque Isle State Park. The project includes a 12-foot wide trail for pedestrians and bicyclists along the east side of Peninsula Drive and a 5-foot sidewalk on the west side of the drive. A variety of pedestrian safety improvements at driveways and roadway crossing areas are also included in the project.
“This is good news for pedestrians and bicyclists who travel along Peninsula Drive between the Tom Ridge Center and Presque Isle,” Senator Laughlin said. “Currently those walkers and bikers must use the roadway shoulders. That is a heavily traveled four-lane highway, which makes it a dangerous proposition. This grant will truly improve the safety aspect for everyone, walkers, bikers and motorists included.”
“I am proud to have worked to secure this Multimodal Grant for Millcreek,” Representative Bizzarro said. “This was a bipartisan effort to maximize state investment in Erie. Our community has been seeking support to improve public safety and access to Presque Isle and this grant will help make that happen. Cyclists, pedestrians and public transit will all benefit from this investment. It will especially improve safety between the Sara’s Complex and residential condos by improving sidewalk access on Peninsula Drive.”
