Julio 22, 2022
Harrisburg, Julio 22, 2022 – A municipality in the 45th Senate District will be among dozens receiving reimbursement from the state for upgrades to traffic signals, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today.
Elizabeth Township was awarded $28,080 for LED traffic signals at three intersections through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) “Green Light-Go” program.
“These improvements should save energy and move traffic more efficiently,” Brewster said. “I’m proud to support the efforts of local officials who pursue state funding to move their citizens smoothly into the future.”
Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursements to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Grant funding through the Green Light-Go program may be utilized for a range of operational improvements including, but not limited to, light-emitting diode (LED) technology installation, traffic signal retiming, developing special event plans and monitoring traffic signals, as well as upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced 70 such projects across the state. For more information on Green Light-Go, visit PennDOT’s website.
30 de enero de 2020
McKeesport - 30 de enero 2020 - El senador estatal Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) está trabajando con funcionarios del Departamento de Transporte (PennDOT) para reabrir Bunola River Road.
Brewster dijo que la carretera se reabrirá una vez que una nueva señal temporal y una fuente de alimentación permanente están asegurados. El Departamento de Transporte de Pensilvania (PennDOT) cerró recientemente la carretera al tráfico de paso después de que se vieran vehículos saltándose los semáforos, lo que suponía un peligro para la seguridad. La carretera se cerró originalmente a un carril el año pasado debido a un corrimiento de tierras.
Brewster dijo que Bunola River Road es una arteria principal para muchos residentes y negocios a lo largo del río Monongahela en los municipios de Elizabeth y Forward. PennDOT dijo que estaba cerrando la carretera al tráfico no de emergencia. El legislador dijo que se le informó de que una vez que una fuente de energía está asegurada que puede operar con seguridad las luces de la carretera se volverá a abrir.
A continuación figura la declaración de Brewster:
"Mis oficinas han recibido llamadas, correos electrónicos y cartas de electores que expresan su preocupación por las reparaciones y el cierre de Bunola River Road. Comprendo su frustración.
"He viajado por Bunola River Road durante más de 40 años y conozco de primera mano la importancia de esta carretera para las empresas de la zona, los residentes y la comunidad. Si bien ha habido problemas con el procedimiento de viaje de un carril que se puso en marcha mientras la carretera está siendo reparado, he pedido PennDOT para ayudar a encontrar fondos y acelerar el trabajo para abrir con seguridad la calzada.
"Los funcionarios de PennDOT, especialmente la Ejecutiva de Distrito Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, han hecho un excelente trabajo identificando alternativas y trabajando en los problemas para tratar de reabrir la carretera lo antes posible."
Declaración del ingeniero de distrito Sirianni:
"La intención del Departamento desde el principio era mantener un solo carril de tráfico con el fin de evitar un largo desvío para la comunidad, pero debido a graves problemas de seguridad nos vimos obligados a cerrar la calzada. Con la ayuda del senador Brewster y el representante Puskaric, PennDOT está en el proceso de evaluación de las opciones que nos permitan abrir con seguridad la calzada en un futuro próximo."
El cierre de Bunola River Road afecta a Elizabeth Borough, West Elizabeth Borough, Forward Township y Elizabeth Township.
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Diciembre 18, 2019
Harrisburg – Diciembre 18, 2019 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that $1,146,950 has been awarded for various railway track upgrades and expansion projects in the region.
“The railways that serve the industrial facilities of our region remain as critical components of highly integrated rail network,” Brewster said. “I am pleased that the state has made this significant investment that will help businesses in the area and create an environment that is conducive to job creation.”
U.S. Steel Corporation has been awarded $689,500 to complete rail track updates to accommodate their new hot rolling mill in Braddock.
Union Railroad was awarded $457,450 to construct new railway track and a new rail turnout that will also serve U.S. Steel’s new hot rolling mill.
PennDOT will be distributing the funds for the projects.
“I will continue to push for investments in railway and manufacturing operations,” Brewster said.
Septiembre 27, 2019
McKeesport – Sept. 27, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that PennDOT’s District Executive Cheryl Moon-Sirianni acted quickly, decisively and in the interest of public safety when she ordered the temporary closure of the Route 51 Bridge between Elizabeth and West Elizabeth following a cable support failure.
“The temporary closure of the heavily-used bridge was necessary to avert a crisis,” Brewster said. “District Director Moon-Sirianni took decisive action to protect those who use the Route 51 Bridge in Elizabeth. Safety is a top priority.”
Brewster said he has been assured that repair work will continue on the span and crews will be on scene doing repairs until the bridge can be safely reopened.
“The bridge is a key aspect of the Mon Valley transportation system and must be quickly repaired,” Brewster said. “PennDOT leadership has been open, transparent and acted to protect those who use the bridge.”
Brewster said that PennDOT will provide further updates as work progresses.
Agosto 28, 2019
Harrisburg – Agosto 28, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that Allegheny County Airport has been awarded a state grant for $900,000 to upgrade airport buildings.
“Allegheny County Airport is a regional resource that enhances development potential throughout the Mon Valley,” Brewster said. “An improved airport, in addition to the new Mon-Fayette Expressway and other local economic projects create business development opportunities for the area.”
Funding for the $900,000 grant was through PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, Aviation Development Program, and the Multimodal Fund.
Allegheny County Airport (AGC) is a key cog in the transportation infrastructure of the region. The airport began serving the county in 1931. The airport has more than 60,000 commercial and scheduled flight takeoffs and landings every year.
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Diciembre 6, 2018
Harrisburg – Dec. 6, 2018 – Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin is slated to receive a $223,000 grant to acquire equipment for the airport facility, Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today.
“The Allegheny County Airport is a tremendous asset and an important part of the region’s transportation network,” Brewster said. “The grant funds will be utilized to buy equipment and support operations at the facility.”
The funding was approved through the state Department of Transportation’s Aviation Development Program. The Allegheny County Airport is one of 26-grants approved statewide for aviation projects. Over $6 million was approved for aviation projects in this funding round.
“The airport serves the entire economy of southwestern Pennsylvania and will grow in importance when other key local economic projects – such as the Mon-Fayette Expressway – are completed,” Brewster said. “A first-rate airport is a strong economic tool that can be used to attract other development and jobs.”
Brewster said that funding for the grants is generated through the state’s jet fuel tax and the multimodal fund.
Brewster is a member of the Senate Transportation Committee.
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Octubre 2, 2018
Transportation grant validates Brewster’s work in seeking significant investment
Harrisburg – Oct. 2, 2018 – Nearly $3 million in grant funding will help bolster downtown McKeesport, expand the Steel Valley Trail, connect the new Multimedia Center and fund improvements to the city’s parking garage, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today.
“This massive investment will yield tremendous benefits for years to come,” Brewster said. “We aggressively sought state funding to help the city transform its downtown, tie-in new development with an expansion of the trail, enhance tourism and rehabilitate nearby parking to attract more visitors to the city.”
The $2.9 million state multimodal grant to McKeesport was one of 43 approved statewide.
Brewster said he envisions the development of a secure, lighted elevated track that encompasses an area along the RIDC property that will generate foot and bike traffic and add to the work now being done at the former Daily News building. He said the new Multimedia Center will be a focus point of activity.
“This is incredibly exciting news for the region,” Brewster said. “The expansion of the trail, coupled with the new energy and activity at the center — including excellent access to nearby parking –creates even more commercial opportunities in the city.”
Brewster credited Gov. Tom Wolf for approving the funds for the project. He said McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko along with the many officials involved in the effort to bring the former Daily News building back should be extremely pleased with the funding. He said the officials worked exceptionally hard to bring dollars and development back to the city’s center.
“This is a big development project for the downtown area,” Brewster said. “Now, it is up to all the officials involved to effectively use the state grant funding to complete the critical work and make the next phase of the development a success.”
Brewster said the trail expansion and new multimedia center will generate additional commercial activity it the vicinity of the trail and in the downtown area. He said there will be substantial spinoff benefits once the grant funding is applied and the area improved.
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Julio 12, 2018
Harrisburg – Julio 12, 2018 – Over $1 million in grant funding has been approved for three local municipalities to pay for traffic signal improvements and enhanced safety at heavily used intersections, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
PennDOT’s “Green Light-Go” funding was approved for Monroeville ($226,709), Versailles ($265,191) and White Oak ($601,808) in Allegheny County. The program is designed to reimburse local municipalities for signal upgrades and intersection safety improvements.
“These grants funds will help our local communities improve safety and security in heavily used intersections,” Brewster said. “Protecting motorists and pedestrians, while improving traffic flow, is critical.
“Our communities are committed to making investments that will positively impact motorists and pedestrians for years to come.”
Monroeville’s grant funding is earmarked for traffic signal upgrades at Monroeville Boulevard and Wyngate Road. Versailles will use the funds to replace outdated equipment and install new technology to aid first responders at two intersections in the borough.
The grant for White Oak will address issues at six intersections. The funds are targeted for equipment upgrades related to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and helping first responders manage intersections in the borough.
Seventy municipalities shared in the $31 million that was distributed in this round of funding.
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Junio 27, 2018
Harrisburg – Junio 27, 2018 – The reopening of a section of U.S. 30 in East Pittsburgh that was closed due to a devastating landslide last Abril is excellent news for the region and will be well received by motorists and citizens, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today.
“This is excellent news for area residents who have faced travel difficulties since the road collapsed in Abril,” Brewster said. “The roadway is used by locals and businesses and is a main access highway.
“PennDOT has done a wonderful job in moving quickly on the repairs. All those who worked to repair the road, strengthen the foundation and promote safety should be congratulated for their hard work and diligence.”
The massive cleanup from a devastating landslide and reconstruction of a section of U.S. 30 began almost immediately following the collapse of the roadway. The slide occurred when a wall gave way.
“Local residents, motorists and businesses along the U.S. 30 corridor were impacted by the closure of the highway,” Brewster said. “The governor, secretary of transportation, District Executive Cheryl Moon-Sirianni along with other state and county officials made resources available so the work could proceed without delay.”
An estimated 21,000 vehicles a day utilize the highway. The artery had been closed in both directions.
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Febrero 8, 2018
Harrisburg, Febrero 8, 2018 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that a $65,000 state grant for Brentwood Borough has been approved for sidewalk improvements.
“This grant will help Brentwood complete much needed repairs,” Brewster said. “Repairs to these sidewalks will improve safety and it’s another way that the state can augment local public works initiatives.”
The grant funding is available through PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. Brewster noted the grant will help improve and repair 18,000 square feet of sidewalk.
The senator is the former mayor of McKeesport and served on council for many years. As a former local official, he said he knows of the importance of using state resources to help complete local projects.
“Accessing state funding to complete projects in our cities and towns relieves local taxpayers of the burden and returns dollars from Harrisburg,” Brewster said.
The Multimodal Transportation Fund was formed in 2013. PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation committee reviews applications submitted by local governments and organizations, and grants the funding requests for approved projects.
In Brewster’s district, there were more than $11.6 million in state grant funds from a variety of sources approved last year.
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Agosto 27, 2013
Harrisburg, Agosto 27, 2013 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said he is not surprised by PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch’s decision last week to weight restrict about 1,000 bridges in Pennsylvania.
“This is about public safety,” Brewster said. “The legislature failed to pass a transportation bill that provided enough funds to repair Pennsylvania’s structurally deficient bridges. Now, Secretary Schoch is left with the difficult task of maintaining safe roadways and bridges without adequate support.”
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest bridges in the country. Due to natural deterioration that comes with age or excess use, 11,000 of the state’s bridges are classified as structurally deficient. Although structurally deficient bridges are safe for motorists to drive on, the designation is an indication of future problems if precautions are not taken.
“Secretary Schoch is taking the steps necessary to avoid further deterioration and to protect the structural integrity of the state’s bridges,” Brewster said. “It is unreasonable to criticize him for responding to a problem that was caused by the legislature’s inaction.”
“The list of weight restricted bridges will continue to grow until the legislature provides enough support to repair them,” Brewster said. “The Secretary spent the last year traveling the state warning us of these possible restrictions if the legislature failed to pass a transportation bill, and now we are seeing his warnings being implemented. This is no surprise.”
Brewster added, “The transportation bill was tied to a failed liquor privatization bill in the legislature and this was unacceptable and irresponsible. We should not be playing politics with public safety. We need to pay attention to Secretary Schoch’s reminders that several other states have experienced tragedies because of a failure to address inadequate infrastructure, including fallen bridges.”
Brewster said he will work with his colleagues to pass a comprehensive transportation bill that properly funds bridge and road repairs when the Senate begins a new session next month.
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