Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) on Monday to highlight projects that will be part of the infrastructure investment that the state will make in its six-county east central region during the coming year.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the state will bid out more than $500 million in projects in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.
“Pennsylvania is greatly benefitting from the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law,” Wolf said. “We are fortunate to have this funding which is being used to address additional infrastructure needs.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula said the state will invest in projects that will modernize the state’s infrastructure while creating sustainable, good-paying jobs.
Among the projects to be funded in 2022 as part of the BIL are improvements to an intersection on U.S. 222 in Maidencreek Township, Berks County, for $26.7 million; the reconstruction and widening of Route 443 in Lehighton Borough and Mahoning Township, Carbon County for $21.2 million; repairing and resurfacing U.S. 22 in South Whitehall and Upper Macungie townships in Lehigh County for $17.3 million, and the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 222, Route 863 and Schantz Road in Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County for $14.2 million.
In all, the projects will repair or replace 31 bridges, seal coat 265 miles of roadway, and pave 116 miles of road.
“Thanks to the infrastructure law, we are beginning to rebuild our roads, bridges, and more vital infrastructure across Pennsylvania, and we are jumpstarting projects that have been put on hold. The Interstate 78 exchange project and others throughout Berks County and the region will make it easier and safer for Pennsylvanians to travel and commute. These construction projects will also create good-paying jobs,” Casey said.