A critical trail project in Weissenberg Township has been awarded funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund by the Commonwealth Financing Authority at its meeting April 21, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, and state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, who collaborated to secure the grant.

Weisenberg Township was awarded $130,000 for completion of Phase 2 of its trail network.

Phase 2 includes a pedestrian crossing, which will tie the Weissenberg Athletic Fields trail into the existing sidewalks at the Weisenberg Elementary School, creating a safe passage for pedestrians traveling between the athletic fields and the school.

“We are very pleased Sen. Browne and Rep. Day were able to secure a Multimodal Transportation Fund grant to assist with Phase 2 of our trail project,” Brian Carl, Weisenberg Township administrator, said. “When completed, the trail will provide a safe solution for pedestrian and bicycle travel, especially for students and young athletes as they travel between Weisenberg Elementary School and the athletic fields.”

Across the commonwealth, local government budgets have struggled to accommodate the growing demands placed upon their local infrastructure.

These issues have been compounded due to budgetary and operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Connecting Northwestern Lehigh School District’s Elementary School and athletic fields with a safe and convenient trail is an important step in providing a safer environment for our students and athletes,” Browne said. “I am proud to have worked with Rep. Day and the township to help secure this funding for this critical trail.”

“It is wonderful to see the Commonwealth Financing Authority fund the second phase of this trail network at the Weisenberg Elementary School,” Day said. “In coordination with Weisenberg Township and Sen. Pat Browne we were able to obtain the funding for this project, which will increase safety for our students and other pedestrians.”

The CFA, established as an independent agency of the commonwealth to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages, awards the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Fund grants, which aim to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.