2 Major Road Projects In Limerick And Trappe Defunded By PennDOT

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — Citing losses due to the coronavirus crisis PennDOT this week cut nearly $500,000 in funding for two major local road projects, sparking the ire of area lawmakers.

The agency revoked a pair of grants for roadwork on Linfield-Trappe Road in Limerick and Upper Providence, and work on Main Street and Route 113 in Trappe, they announced. Both projects were funded by 2017 Green Light-Go grants.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi said the projects would have brought vitally needed improvements to the area.

“Both of these projects would have significantly improved safety and traffic flow at key regional arteries," Ciresi said. "PennDOT backing out of its commitments presents a major challenge to our involved municipalities and I urge the department to reverse this decision and restore funding.”

PennDOT had earmarked $232,000 to modernize traffic signals on Linfield-Trappe Road and Township Line Road. Ciresi said the project was "days away" from having a bid awarded when PennDOT made the cuts.

Another $252,800 would've been used to improve the Trappe intersections of Main Street and Route 113, as well as at Trappe Center. Design work on that project was nearly finished.

"With significant work and resources already invested in these projects, there’s no reason that we should not be able to move forward with construction,” Ciresi added.

PennDOT said previously that the shutdowns might've cost them up to $900 million, chiefly due to losses of gasoline tax revenue.