Discussion continues around Kiester Road stormwater and shoulder project
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Township supervisors discussed different means of matching 30% of a $790,000 multimodal transportation grant from PennDOT that would address drainage improvements and paving along portions of Kiester Road at a meeting Monday, Sept. 11.
As part of the project, the township was awarded a second grant from the county Monday in the amount of $180,000 to do drainage work from Route 8 to a bridge.
Matching the $790,000 grant at 30% would make the township responsible for about $237,000, engineer Dave Neill said after the meeting.
“You got a significant grant, but it does come with some skin in the game,” Neill said.
Supervisors discussed the possibility of matching PennDOT’s grant using funds from the statewide Local Share Account Program. Chairman Paul Dickey suggested the township also consider scaling back the project, ultimately deciding to discuss the subject further at subsequent township meetings.
“We’ve got other roads to maintain,” Dickey said. “We’re not going to bust the budget on just one road, right? So let’s strategize about how to move forward with this and maybe we scale down, and we accept a portion of the grant to do what we really need to do out there.”
Supervisors also motioned to accept a quote from Fulena Pavers to seal, pave and line paint a parking lot outside the township building at a cost of $9,961. The timeline for the project is not yet known.
Supervisors discussed the possibility of implementing a maintenance bond on a Columbia Gas pipeline project that would replace pipes along portions of Etna Road. The company would bore under the road, supervisors said. The timeline for the project is not known.
Supervisors also began preliminary discussion regarding a broadband infrastructure program that would bring high-speed internet to Moniteau and Slippery Rock school districts.The program, which is headed by the county, would help address spotty service experienced within the two school districts, township secretary Karen Connell said after the meeting.
