Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read January 2023 – The Greater Pittsburgh region has made infrastructure projects a top priority to bolster the area’s aging structures and systems. From replacing water lines to developing a comprehensive plan to define the future of the transit system with the purpose of achieving a more sustainable and connected city, organizations across the region are working to better serve the needs of the community and promote tourism.
Pittsburgh recently received a $9.7 million grant and $3.7 million in loans for the 2023 Neighborhood Lead Service Line Replacement Project. It aims to replace 1,000 lead service lines and improve the water quality in the region. Project locations will be determined based on lead blood levels in children and the location of children and women of childbearing age. This project is in line with the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, signed by President Joe Biden, which authorized Greater Pittsburgh to develop additional projects for civil works to address critical water resources and support water-related infrastructure.
Improving the region’s transit system has also been top of mind for leaders. In an interview with Invest:, Katharine Kelleman, CEO of Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), shared that the organization recently adopted a long-range plan to define what the transit system will look like in the next 25 years, as well as a strategic plan to accomplish some of the shorter-term goals. However, the organization faces challenges of maintaining and upgrading old infrastructure dating back to the 1930s due to limited resources.
Kelleman highlighted that new infrastructure funding, specifically for bridges, is crucial to the organization’s efforts to improve the transit system, considering that PRT is responsible for 79 bridges and 11 tunnels, in addition to its regular fleet, busways and shelters.
“Our annual capital budget is between $120 million and $130 million and from that we need to maintain everything we are responsible for while planning for the future. New infrastructure funding will allow us to expand our overloaded bus garage and our number of clean-fuel vehicles and to connect various corridors” she stated.
The agency also announced its commitment to sustainability in September 2022, with plans to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035 and to electrify its fleet by 2030. This is in line with the organization’s new long-term strategic plan, which positions PRT for the future and works towards a more sustainable and connected Pittsburgh.
Another organization that is making significant investments to benefit residents is Armstrong Trails. The organization, which connects riverfront towns along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River, recently experienced a major success with the acquisition of 14 miles of trail in addition to working on two major projects, the Brady Tunnel and the Kiski Junction corridor and bridge, which are expected to have a major impact on the local community.
The economic impact of outdoor recreation in the state of Pennsylvania shouldn’t be understated, with the industry generating $14 billion. Additionally, these investments will benefit the local community by promoting outdoor recreation and providing opportunities for people to stay active and contribute to the development of small towns. Chris Ziegler, executive director of Armstrong Trails, told Invest:, “Pennsylvania’s lucky because we’re No. 2 in the number of rail trails and No. 3 in the number of miles. So, we’re right there at the top.” The organization has also received almost $16 million in grant funding, which has helped to facilitate the completion of these major projects.
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