Recovery Plan Stimulates Flyover Ramp

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At least two "shovel-ready" projects in the city are likely to be funded by the federal economic stimulus package.

The so-called "flyover" ramp that would connect Lysle Boulevard with the RIDC industrial park is almost guaranteed to benefit from the jumpstart plan approved by Congress and the Obama administration, according to Mayor Jim Brewster.

A less likely --- but also possible --- recipient of stimulus money is the proposed regional courthouse and public safety complex in the Third Ward.

Brewster is working with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. to bring the complex to the city. The effort has attracted national attention.

"The project is shovel-ready," Brewster said last week. "They're not asking for the whole thing, but seed money."

Spokesmen for Onorato and the county's Department of Economic Development did not return phone calls last week seeking comment.

The flyover ramp is one of more than 70 highway and transit projects in southwestern Pennsylvania designated as eligible for federal recovery money.

Others in the Mon-Yough area include reconstruction of the intersection of Brownsville and Broughton roads in South Park, and resurfacing Route 30 in Hempfield Township.

Highway access to the industrial park is currently available only via railroad crossings at Locust and Center streets, which RIDC and city officials have called a barrier to development. The ramp to be built by Allegheny County at the foot of Coursin Street has been estimated at a cost of $14 million. (See a map in PDF form.)

The stimulus package commits almost $6 million in federal funding.

Another $5.6 million in federal money, pledged to the state Department of Transportation, was approved by the U.S. Congress in 2005 in an earmark to a transportation bill requested by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, Forest Hills Democrat.

Construction is expected to begin later this year.

News of the flyover ramp's funding comes on the heels of an announcement --- reported in the Daily News and Tribune-Review --- that Dish Network has extended the lease on its McKeesport call center, located in the industrial park.

The lease extension appears to end rumors (reported in the Almanac and elsewhere) that Dish might close or relocate the call center.

Brewster repeated a frequently repeated mantra --- that despite continuing problems, including street crime and abandoned properties, officials, business owners and residents need to work toward larger goals.

"Focus on the positive things that are happening in your city, not just the negative," he said.

Your Comments are Welcome!

I hope Rite-Aid can let Eat’n‘Park customers use their lot. If you look at google maps, you can see a few cars parked at Rite-Aid but a full lot at at the eatery. Perhaps the county can put a flyover ramp in so no-one gets run over from all the future loads of traffic that will going in and out from the industrial park?
Thee Dude - March 11, 2009

Informed sources tell me that some sort of arrangement is under discussion that will mitigate the loss of parking spaces. I think a lot depends on the economy.

Off the record, I am promised that Eat ‘n Park intends to remain open.

It is Downtown’s finest restaurant, at least whenever the Enzone and the Chinese place on Walnut are closed.

Oh, wait —- I forgot about the BP station. ;-)
Webmaster - March 11, 2009

Actually, I would be just as happy if E’n‘P just relocated nearby. It can be a bear getting in and out as it is. Maybe in the industrial park area? I am sure workers there would appreciate it. If not, there is plenty of space in the Midtown Plaza with lots of parking…I keeed, I keeed!
Thee Dude - March 11, 2009

Man I’m completely confused I thought that the “Fly Over” ramps were done deals and the funding was already in place? Now we need stimulus money to pay for this? What happened to the funds that were already in place?

Why are we looking for “Shovel Ready” locations when we have all those wonderful “Pad Ready” locations at Demmler/Riverton where the great garbage incinerator is, with row after row of electrical dynamos providing vast amounts of free electricity were supposed to occupy?

Jeez it’s hard to remain positive when all you see when you look out over the north forty from your porch is ever increasing sadness of the condition of town and memories of what it once was and now ever increasing taxes and municipal bills (sewage)

Maybe once we get all the sewer lines straightened out we can ask for some extra “stimulus” money or maybe ask Governor ED for some video poker money and install one gigantic water closet handle at some strategic location (maybe at the old stand pipe location) within the city limits and hold a “raffle” so that the winner gets the honor to “pull the handle” and flush all our troubles away. Oh wait we’d have to send Harrisburg their “Cut” of the raffle money.
Cox's Jimmy - March 11, 2009

After reading my Post I have to correct myself as far as Taxes in the City go.

I have to admit that the city elders have done a commendable job on keeping taxes at the current levels with the services provided and declining city population.

Maybe the State and federal Elders should take a lesson.
Cox's Jimmy - March 12, 2009

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