CHAMBERSBURG BOROUGH SERVES AS A GROUNDSTONE TO IMPROVE CRITICAL OPERATIONAL, STORMWATER AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

On Monday, August 5, 2024, the Town of Chambersburg celebrated the launch of two initiatives after receiving $15.7 million in federal and state funding to make critical gas, stormwater and transportation infrastructure improvements. Aging natural gas infrastructure will be replaced on nearly 40 road segments throughout the borough, while stormwater infrastructure will be rehabilitated and critical transportation infrastructure will be added as part of the Southgate Neighborhood Revitalization Project.

The district received nearly $10.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to replace old cast-iron gas lines throughout the city, preventing dangerous gas leaks near homes and businesses. In addition, the district was awarded an additional $3.5 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to rehabilitate the Southgate Shopping Center’s dilapidated stormwater infrastructure and prepare the site for future development. Two federal grants, one from the Commonwealth Financing Authority and the other through PennDOT, were awarded to the district for approximately $1.4 million to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and accessibility in Southgate.

“Our elected officials at the state and federal levels have been very supportive of the county’s desire to replace and improve aging infrastructure,” said Chambersburg City Council President Allen Coffman. “Our community is experiencing an incredible investment that will improve the health, safety and well-being of thousands of people who need it most.”

County officials and community members marked the beginning of the projects with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by key supporters including Chambersburg City Council President Allen Coffman, Congressman John Joyce, State Representative Rob Kauffman, State Senator Doug Mastriano and staff from the offices of U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey. The event gave the community an opportunity to learn more about the projects, speak with stakeholders and project teams, and celebrate the coordinated effort to improve community infrastructure.

“We are one of the few communities in the Commonwealth that owns and operates its own gas infrastructure,” said Chambersburg County Manager Jeffery Stonehill. “While this helps keep costs down for our citizens, it also brings with it the added responsibility of managing a vast infrastructure network.”

Since 2000, the community has replaced more than 21 miles of its 26 miles of cast iron gas pipes, a technology that first emerged in the 19th century. Nearly five miles of the old cast iron pipes remain, but replacing those lines was too costly because of their location under state highways and in downtown areas.

“Chambersburg County’s commitment to modern, safe and affordable infrastructure is an incredible benefit to all who call the county home,” said Congressman Joyce. “By working together at the local, state and federal levels, we can continue to support the critical investments that keep our communities running. It was an honor to be a part of this groundbreaking, and in Congress, I will continue to work to ensure our tax dollars come back home and are used for the projects that matter most.”

The community received approximately $5.2 million last year to complete the first phase of the project. The second grant of $5.56 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Monitoring program will cover much of the cost of the remaining work, ensuring the continued supply of safe and affordable natural gas.

The continued supply of reliable natural gas is critical to sustaining economic growth and encouraging development in the community, which is one of the fastest-growing areas in Franklin County. The project is also designed to provide natural gas to several areas of the community that are considered historically disadvantaged communities and ensure that these communities are provided with affordable energy.

The event also celebrated the fact that the municipality will receive two grants in the coming years to renovate the inadequate underground infrastructure of the Southgate Shopping Center, which is the target of comprehensive revitalization measures.

“The revitalization of Chambersburg’s Southgate neighborhood is a prime example of how strategic investments in infrastructure can transform our communities. By replacing aging gas lines and upgrading stormwater systems, we are addressing pressing safety concerns and paving the way for future growth. This project demonstrates the importance of collaboration between local, state and federal partners to deliver tangible benefits. It is a testament to what we can accomplish when we prioritize the needs of historically disadvantaged areas. I am proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing Southgate become a vibrant center for community and economic opportunity,” said Senator Fetterman.

With a total of $3.5 million provided by USACE, the township expects to be able to rebuild much of the downtown’s deteriorating stormwater infrastructure. This includes relocating and rehabilitating a box culvert that runs beneath the parking lot and handles 20 percent of the township’s stormwater runoff. This is a critical step to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the culvert and allow for redevelopment of the parking lot.

“The goal of the Southgate stormwater infrastructure project is to prepare the site for future commercial and residential development, prevent flooding, and reduce sediment and nutrient loading to Conococheague Creek,” said Coffman. “Support at both the federal and state levels to secure the necessary funding for infrastructure improvements to further the Southgate Redevelopment Initiative was critical.”

The storm sewer will be relocated from the mall parking lot. This is being done as part of the Southgate Redevelopment Initiative – a council and community-led initiative to improve the area in and around the mall, create new community-focused amenities and encourage new retail and residential development. The stormwater infrastructure on Cedar Avenue and Water Street will be completely rehabilitated. It is currently outdated and in poor condition. As a result, every street will be rehabilitated and improved.

Once Water Street is closed and excavated between Catherine and Washington Streets, it will remain permanently closed to motorized traffic. After stormwater work is completed, the two blocks will be landscaped to provide an improved section of the Chambersburg Rail Trail, which is currently on site but will need to be removed to replace the box culvert. The project also includes benches, lighting, green space, bike racks, bollards, crosswalks, pedestrian flashers and other site amenities.

“I am glad to have had the opportunity to help the County transform one of its blighted neighborhoods into a safe and economically productive center,” said Assemblyman Kauffman. “This project is about creating a new gathering place for the community and creating new residential and commercial opportunities that benefit everyone.”

The improvement will be located adjacent to existing senior living facilities and the Keystone Health medical facility currently under construction. The project will provide residents with safe access to the mall’s existing and planned commercial and social amenities without having to contend with motorized traffic, while also serving as a new recreational amenity.

Photo From left to right: Rebecca Countess, Office of U.S. Senator John Fetterman, Allen Coffman, President of the Chambersburg City Council, Senator Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania, United States Representative John Joyce, United States Representative Rob Kauffman, Ben Martin, Office of U.S. Senator Robert Casey