Upper Macungie Township was awarded funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund by the Commonwealth Financing Authority at its Nov. 19 meeting, 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.

The township was awarded $147,000 for the installation of a roundabout on Grange Road at Lenape Trail.

The adjacent Grange Road Park is used for sporting activities and community events, which increase the need for safety and accessibility improvements as traffic counts continue to rise.

These improvements will also help accommodate future traffic flows stemming from the proposed Upper Macungie Township Community Center which is to be built at Grange Road Park.

The scope of work entails installation of a roundabout in place of the existing traditional intersection along with all ancillary safety devices for both motorists and pedestrians.

The roundabout will specifically be designed to provide for safer access to and from the park from the surrounding developments.

“We want to say thank you to Sen. Browne and Rep. Day for their continued support of our community and for understanding the need to keep Upper Macungie a safe and healthy township,” Upper Macungie Supervisors Jim Brunell, Sean Gill and Kathy Rader in a statement.

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.

“I am proud to support Upper Macungie’s efforts in providing innovative traffic solutions to improve the safety and accessibility of one of the township’s most treasured parks,” Browne said. “A roundabout at this intersection will not only lead to a safer corridor but will also help to accommodate for the township’s future growth.”

Day also commented on the funds.

“With the growing traffic burden on Upper Macungie Township roadways it is important that the state continues to improve the transportation infrastructure to accommodate the needs of our growing community,” Day said. “Roundabouts have successfully dealt with traffic problems in the 187th Legislative District.

“I am pleased to bring state assets to the people of Upper Macungie Township to provide for mitigating delays on the roadways.”