Residents in Millcreek Township could soon see improvements aimed at making it safer and easier to walk, bike, and access public transit thanks to a new state grant.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center have announced nearly $300,000 in WalkWorks grants for seven communities across the Commonwealth. The funding will support the development of Active Transportation Plans designed to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections between neighborhoods, businesses, schools, parks, and other destinations.
Millcreek Township was awarded $50,000 as part of the initiative, making it one of only seven Pennsylvania communities selected for funding this year.
Over the next year, local planners will gather data, evaluate current transportation conditions, seek public input, and develop a plan focused on creating safer and more accessible routes for walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation.
The WalkWorks program is administered through a partnership between the Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Officials say the plans developed through the program can help communities compete for future infrastructure funding and identify policies that improve road safety and mobility.
Other grant recipients include Berwick Borough in Columbia County, Freeland and White Haven boroughs in Luzerne County, the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, the City of Sharon, and the City of Jeannette.
The grants are funded through federal health programs and state conservation initiatives that support public health, recreation, and community development.