MERCER COUNTY Projects get state funding

A section of Mercer Avenue has no sidewalks and has been a safety concern.
FARRELL, Pa. -- A major route for Wheatland children walking to the Farrell Art School District complex will get a major improvement through a state transportation enhancement grant.
Children using Mercer Avenue now have nowhere to walk but in the street. There's no sidewalk along that section of road leading into Farrell, and it's been a safety concern for Wheatland and school district officials for years.
That problem will be resolved with a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The grant is one of two coming into Mercer County from a pool of $35.9 million in federal funds the state has allocated to 127 transportation projects.
The Grove City downtown revitalization project, aimed at making the shopping district more pedestrian- and shopper-friendly, is also getting a piece of the pie.
Lawrence County received no grants.
Purpose of grants
The Pennsylvania Transportation Commission approved the grants Thursday to build regional trails, improve historic transportation properties and do landscaping along streets and highways.
"It's just one example of how we can target transportation investments to projects that will help reclaim our communities and enhance the quality of life of our citizens," said Allen D. Biehler, Pennsylvania secretary of transportation.
The local projects are:
U$299,000 for a 5-foot-by-1,600-foot sidewalk along Mercer Avenue from Wheatland into Farrell.
U$650,000 for scenic and environmental improvements at the intersection of Pa. Routes 173 and 208 in downtown Grove City. The work includes decorative sidewalks, decorative street lighting, underground utility lines and storm-drainage work.