Plan to realign Aspinwall's Brilliant Avenue on hold

A project to realign Brilliant Avenue in Aspinwall has been put on hold while additional funding is sought, officials said.

Work to reconfigure the intersection is aimed at creating a safer entrance to Aspinwall Riverfront Park and the borough’s public works complex.

It was initially proposed in 2013 at an estimated cost of $1.6 million.

Manager Melissa Lang said the cost has climbed closer to $2.6 million.

“The borough and Aspinwall Riverfront Park have signed a pause agreement for the project in order to investigate additional funding sources to cover the rising costs,” she said.

Steeper costs are due to unexpected railroad requirements and additional engineering costs, she said.

Early on, the borough received a $500,000 grant through the state Gaming and Economic Development Fund for design and engineering. Park officials were awarded a $921,000 grant through the state’s multimodal transportation fund for construction.

The project, if it comes to fruition, will realign the entry of the park off Freeport Road with the Brilliant Avenue intersection, replace traffic signals, configure a four-way intersection and construct a westbound left turning lane.