Sen. Schwank and Rep. Gillen Announce $600,000 State Investment in Berks
HARRISBURG, July 16, 2020 – A Wyomissing Borough development/transportation enhancement project will again receive a much-needed boost thanks to $633,264 in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Multimodal Transportation Funds are meant to improve transportation infrastructure and promote economic development.
The grant will allow Wyomissing Borough to move forward with the municipality’s planned $4 million 4th Street Extension Multimodal Project, which, among other things, will connect North Wyomissing Boulevard and Innovation Way, according to Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Rep. Mark Gillen (R-128th district). Extending Fourth Street will provide more direct access between the Knitting Mills and related redevelopment and the Route 422 Bypass, alleviating traffic congestion on North Park Road and safety issues caused by traffic cutting through residential neighborhoods. The installation of other multimodal improvements such as a bus stop, bike share station, bike racks, and sharrows and pedestrian and bike route signs will further improve accessibility, safety, and traffic flow. Schwank worked closely with Gillen to advocate for the Wyomissing project. The project received $2 million in grant funding in 2019.
“I applaud this approval which will help Wyomissing Borough continue with their efforts to improve traffic and access to the exciting new projects along North Park Road,” Schwank said. “These new developments will be particularly important to the economic vitality of our area especially in these challenging times.”
“I’m pleased to help advance job creation in Wyomissing borough as we collaterally ease traffic flow,” Gillen said. “This state funding represents a wise investment in the economic future of our community.”
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