Bridgeville seeks reversal of federal decision for funding for McLaughlin Run flood project

Bridgeville is at risk of missing out $5.33 million of federal funding for a flood control project officials say would advance public safety and development in the northern end of the borough.

The borough is calling on its residents to contact federal legislators to restore FEMA’s “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” funding for Bridgeville’s Flood Control Infrastructure project after the federal agency announced it is ending the program.

“Right now, we’re hopeful that our federal legislators are able to reverse this decision,” said Bridgeville Manager Joe Kauer.

FEMA announced April 5 it is ending its BRIC program and canceling all applications from 2020 to 2023, according to a statement.

“The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program,” a FEMA spokesperson said in an April 4 press release. “It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary (Kristi) Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”

Bridgeville officials say that loss of funding would be devastating and set the borough back years. The borough — particularly along Carol Avenue and Baldwin Street from McLaughlin Run — is prone to flooding, Kauer said. In 2018, the borough witnessed its worst flood, resulting in one death, more than $5 million in damages and impacts to 48 businesses and 127 homes.

In response, Bridgeville Council commissioned a hydrological engineering study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that led to the design of the McLaughlin Run flood control project, Kauer said.

Planned improvements include replacing culverts under Commercial Street, constructing a levee along Carol Avenue, upsizing storm sewer systems and installing a pumping system.

In 2023, the first phase of the project was awarded the FEMA BRIC grant.

“In light of today’s economy, it’s very difficult to get $5.33 million in grant awards,” Kauer said. “That’s 75% of the construction costs for phase 1 improvements.”

Kauer said that, over the past 20 months, the borough followed FEMA’s processes to a tee. It has spent more than $200,000 in engineering, permitting and legal compliance on the project already.

The borough also has looked to the future: once the flood risk is mitigated, the properties are shovel-ready and are primed for revitalization and economic development, Kauer said.

“This is a textbook example of good government and community-driven planning,” he said. “The only barrier standing in our way now is the unexpected delay and risk of losing the BRIC funding due to hurdles beyond our control.”

Kauer said the borough has worked with U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman; Rep. Summer Lee; Gov. Josh Shapiro; and state Reps. Anita Kulik and Devlin Robinson to restore the funding allocated to Bridgeville.

“All have been very diligent in trying to help us, and essentially reconvince FEMA to reconsider this decision,” Kauer said.