Brackenridge officials hope ongoing storm sewer overflows along Roup Avenue can be addressed if the borough receives a state grant.
Council is seeking up to $300,000 through the state’s Local Share Account. The $120 million fund was created with gambling revenues across the state.
Borough engineer Gordon Taylor said heavy rains frequently result in flooding along Roup at its intersection with Morgan Street.
If approved, Taylor said, grant money would pay for rehab work along Morgan to alleviate the flooding.
Mayor Lindsay Fraser said borough officials have been working a few years on possible solutions. Work could include a new storm sewer line about four blocks long, Taylor said.
Estimates have not yet been completed, but Taylor expects it would cost at least $200,000 to $300,000.
Grant applications are due in mid-March.
“The list of planned projects in the borough is longer than the amount of money currently available to us to address all of them, so we’re grateful for these grant programs and try to take advantage of them as we are able,” Frazer said.
Municipalities that apply for the state grant can use the money to purchase vehicles, plan designs, acquire and demolish dilapidated properties, repair community buildings or bridges and improve water and sewage facilities.
No local match is required.
Taylor said Brackenridge Council might apply for a separate grant of up to $1 million for work at the borough’s water plant. If approved, money would pay for new settling tanks and a new roof.
“They just don’t have the funds to do all this,” Taylor said. “They would have to take out loans for this work. It would be really nice to get these grants.”
