Supervisors hope for funding for road improvements
South Union Township supervisors said they are encouraged that improvements and the extension of Matthew Drive in the Cherry Tree Plaza area of the township could be in line for some state and federal money. They discussed the project during a brief monthly business meeting Wednesday, with Supervisor Robert Schiffbauer saying they heard from the office of U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) that the roadway could have a chance of getting funding through placement on the federal highway project list.
Also, he said the project initially was not on the state Department of Transportation’s 12-year list of projects, but the supervisors got word from the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development that the road would be submitted for consideration on the final list.
“From what we understand, the final list will be submitted in August, and it’s on there for the first four years,” Schiffbauer said.
Schiffbauer said the project would take several years but planning and engineering could get started as soon as 2003.
The plan includes widening the existing Matthew Drive to four lanes, along with other improvements like traffic signals and turning lanes. A new roadway would be built from where Matthew Drive intersects with New Salem Road, through the county’s adjacent business park to Duck Hollow Road.
The township and county have both pledged to help fund the new roadway, and Schiffbauer said they now have a “good chance” of securing state and federal funds.
Schiffbauer said the road is important to economic development in the area and passes by the site where Widewaters Development Inc. of New York has proposed significant retail development. He added that the supervisors got recent communication that the development is still in the works.
Supervisor Thomas Frankhouser said Wayland Smith Drive in the county’s business park has been completed and is ready for the township’s inspection, which would lead to the township taking over the road.
Meanwhile, the supervisors reserved action until next month on opinions from their solicitor regarding the appointment of alternate members to the township’s zoning hearing board, the expansion of the township’s five-member sewage authority and mobile home zoning.
They voted in favor of advertising for 3,200 tons of stone in various sizes and 600 tons of stockpile patch, top and binder.