State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, announced March 26 that more than $1.7 million has been awarded to communities in her legislative district to improve transportation and build roadway infrastructure through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.

Whitehall Township will receive $717,025 to fund bridge and roadway crossings along the Ironton Rail Trail.

Other projects include $200,000 to fund streetscape and stormwater improvements along Bridge Street in Catasauqua Borough; $600,000 for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority to fund construction of an access road and intersection improvements in Hanover Township, Lehigh County; and $200,000 to fund streetscape and stormwater improvements along Broadway in Fountain Hill.

“Repairs and improvements are important for the community at large,” McNeill said. “Constant updating to our infrastructure means that our roadways and stormwater systems can remain at the highest quality, which translates to helping to ensure our local infrastructure - and by extension, the community - remains safe.”

Multimodal Transportation Fund grants are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to residents. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

The CFA was established 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.