Lower Burrell eyes stormwater drainage improvements to Reed Street

Lower Burrell officials are looking to address what they call “inadequate stormwater management” on Reed Street.

Existing infrastructure on the roadway leads to poor drainage and erosion of the ditch line along the road.

Those issues, according to the city, not only compromise the integrity of surrounding infrastructure, but also increase the risk of costly emergency repairs and damage.

To solve the problem, the city is pursuing state funding to help cover the costs of new stormwater inlets along the road, City Manager Greg Primm said.

Council authorized its engineer, Matt Pitsch, to apply for the funding. The request, through the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority, is for $33,333. If awarded, Lower Burrell would provide a $5,882 match.

Primm said, if the funding is not awarded, the city probably would wait before trying to find another grant source. Award announcements are expected in May. If the city gets funding, anticipated completion is scheduled for August or September.

According to Pitsch, by improving the stormwater infrastructure, the project will prevent further erosion of the ditch line and road, itself. The Reed Street area is prone to excessive runoff, and improving stormwater collection will help alleviate the issue.

“By proactively addressing these needs, the city will avoid costly emergency repairs to the roadway, protect its infrastructure, protect private properties from flooding and create a positive economic impact through reduced maintenance costs,” he wrote in the grant application.