PennDOT antes up another $3 million to upgrade road at doorstep of proposed $70 million biz park in Harrison

The state announced it will pay $3 million to modify Route 366 (Bull Creek Road) just off Route 28’s Tarentum exit to pave the way for an estimated $70 million, 162-acre business park planned just over the border in Harrison.

The business park, known as Harrison Point, still has numerous steps to be completed before construction of any buildings begins. But getting the major upgrade to the road leading to the development is a major step forward.

Plans include a 200,000-square-foot facility for office and technology space, 249 residential units for senior independent living and a 100-acre township park.

The business park has been in the planning stage for several years. Harrison Point already was awarded a $1 million state grant last year for site preparation work, including stormwater mitigation, utility installation and roadwork.

All of the trees on the property were cut down about three years ago in preparation for the development. Planners cut them down to prevent an endangered bat from nesting in them, allowing them to relocate at a time most beneficial for saving their population.

The business park would be in Harrison, bordering Route 28, with access coming from Route 366. Most people consider the whole area part of Tarentum, but Harrison juts out into Route 366 for roughly 100 yards, between Fawn and Tarentum.

PennDOT’s upgrades

The new road improvement money will come through the PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund for improvements of the Route 366 and Pleasant Avenue intersection. Pleasant Avenue is now just a short, dead-end road that’s on the Tarentum-Harrison line.

Improvements include:

• Constructing a new northbound turning lane at Route 28’s Exit 14.

• Separating the expressway ramp from the intersection by constructing a barrier.

• Extending the northbound ramp through the intersection with Route 366.

• Constructing a new left-turn lane to serve traffic on Route 366 coming off the expressway or from Fawn that’s destined for Pleasant Avenue.

• Adding traffic signals.

It’s unclear when construction would begin. Calls made to a PennDOT spokesman after regular business hours Friday were not immediately returned.

Harrison Commissioners President Bill Heasley said he’s excited the township was able to get the full amount requested for the grant and is looking forward to the infrastructure improvements.

“Anytime you get $3 million put into a township should be pretty good news, I would hope,” Heasley said. “To have a project they’re proposing to go down there, I think, is great news; more businesses, more workers possibly, and a number of things that can be done down there (after the traffic upgrades).”

When completed, the park that’s planned as part of the development will be a “jewel of the Valley,” Harrison Commissioner Charles Dizard said.

The road improvements not only will help make township travel safer; they will help pave the way for access to the proposed development by R&Z Harrison Properties, led by Buffalo Township resident Ron Zampogna.

Brian Clark, R&Z’s consultant and project manager for the proposed Harrison Point, said the PennDOT-funded roadwork will be crucial off-site upgrades needed before more work can be done on site.

“This is a very big step,” Clark said. “It’s a huge deal for both the development and the township.”

$60M to $70M project

Clark said it will take about $29 million to prepare the land and its parcels for further development, including moving soil for utilities and an access road. Additional building costs for the offices and other spaces range from $30 million to $40 million.

The site preparation work includes grading 1.6 million cubic yards of earth; building a 580-foot concrete arch culvert extension; installing gas, electric, water, sewer, stormwater management and fiber-optic telecommunication facilities and relocating electric transmission lines.

A proposed bike/walking trail through the development would link to Silver Lake Park and further develop the township’s trail network with multiple connections.

“I think it’s a great project because it creates two new facilities within the community that can attract jobs, recreational opportunities, improve the quality of life and increase property values because of all the amenities at that exit,” Clark said.

Clark said final drawings from the township, in collaboration with the developer, need to be submitted to PennDOT prior to road construction.

Informal discussions with the township’s planning commission about land development applications could begin as early as September. R&Z also needs a highway occupancy permit from PennDOT prior to further on-site work.

Dermody, Williams laud project

The PennDOT grant award was announced Friday by state Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny County, whose respective districts include Harrison.

“The senator and I worked together to deliver this support from the state for important improvements to the intersection that will keep traffic moving better,” Dermody said in a statement. “It’s a key component to developing new park land and a business park to be built around a restored Silver Lake with land committed to recreational space and trails.

“The Harrison Point business park could result in more than 1,500 new jobs when complete, so getting the state’s help to move it forward is very exciting news.”

Multimodal Transportation Fund grants are awarded to local projects that develop or enhance community transportation assets and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motor traffic.

“I’m excited to see this project receive the funding it needs to move forward, as it will improve access and safety for residents throughout the Allegheny Valley,” Williams said.