AVONDALE — The tight-knit borough at the East Branch of the White Clay Creek, surrounded by London Grove and New Garden, was awarded a Multimodal Transportation Fund grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for key reconstruction and essential improvements to roadway infrastructure on Pennsylvania Avenue; Route 41.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will fund $645,118 to reconstruct and improve Route 41.
“This investment will improve safety, accessibility, and the quality of life for our residents and businesses,” said Avondale Mayor Susan Rzucidlo.
Beginning in 2028, PennDOT will start implementing this project with road improvements. Key changes will be full depth pavement reconstruction, installation of new ADA curb ramps and drainage upgrades plus upgrades at the Route 41 and 1st Street and West State Street intersection. The East Branch of White Clay Creek Bridge will also be replaced.
Today, the bridge is weight-restricted which can be cumbersome for drivers with heavy cargoes enroute to Lancaster, Harrisburg and State College from the Port of Wilmington, at the south end of Route 41, at the Delaware Bay.
Nearly 20,000 drivers pass through Avondale each day traveling along Route 41.
The Avondale mayor welcomed PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to celebrate the winning bid with residents and business owners at Borough Hall on Monday.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll lauds the community of Avondale for winning a $645,118 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant award to reconstruct and improve Route 41 on Monday afternoon. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
Carroll said since Governor Josh Shapiro took office, $197 million has been invested in local communities through the Multimodal Transportation Fund. Avondale was one of 50 others to receive funding this round, which total $53 million. These projects aim to improve safety, connect communities, and grow local economies across Pennsylvania.
Besides Pennsylvania municipalities, Multimodal Transportation Fund grants can be awarded to councils of governments, businesses, economic development authorities, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety and transit access.
During Monday’s celebration in Avondale, Carroll was accompanied by Chester County resident Din Abazi, the executive who oversees PennDOT’s District 6 from London Britain to Philadelphia.
“Avondale’s determination to pursue this multimodal funding by the Shapiro Administration is a great example of how local leadership, planning, and follow-through can deliver important infrastructure improvements for our communities,” said Abazi.
Din Abazi, PennDOT District 6 executive, Avondale Mayor Susan Rzucidlo, state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-158th of East Marlborough, and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll celebrate the borough winning $645,118 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant award to reconstruct and improve Route 41, known locally as Pennsylvania Avenue. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-158th of East Marlborough, was commended by borough residents for championing the community. Citizens have called for changes to the roadway for years including during a town hall last April. During that well-attended event, local lawmakers encouraged the people of the borough to share concerns and ask questions.
PennDOT is advancing two other travel and safety projects along the Route 41 corridor in Chester County.
• Route 41, also known as Gap Newport Pike, and Route 841, or London Grove Road, intersection improvements;
• Route 41, or Gap Newport Pike, and U.S. 1, Kennett Oxford bypass, interchange improvements.
In the future, there are major PennDOT changes set to occur nearby in Toughkenamon at the intersection of Old Baltimore Pike and Newark Road in New Garden.
PennDOT is accepting applications for the next Multimodal Transportation Fund round until the end of October.
An Avondale resident asks a question regarding fixing the infrastructure beneath Route 41 that can lead to flood events in the borough. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
A commercial truck drives into Avondale Borough on Monday afternoon. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
PennDOT’s press conference is underway in Avondale on Oct. 19. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi shares what the project entails for Avondale. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
Marisa De Jesus Paolicelli, second from left, stands with PennDOT and elected state and local officials on Monday to celebrate a $645,118 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant award to reconstruct and improve Route 41 in Avondale. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
According to PennDOT, nearly 19K vehicles pass through Avondale, via Route 41, each day. (JEN SAMUEL FOR DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
Susan McCue, who has resided in Avondale for 46 years, raised concerns that nothing may be done to address the dangerous tractor trailer traffic occurring through the borough each day unless a fatal accident happens on the roadway. (JEN SAMUEL FOR DAILY LOCAL NEWS)
Show Caption
1 of 7
An Avondale resident asks a question regarding fixing the infrastructure beneath Route 41 that can lead to flood events in the borough. (JEN SAMUEL — DAILY LOCAL NEWS)