THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY EVANKOVICH, METZGAR, FLECK, GROVE, HELM, MIRABITO, OBERLANDER, PYLE AND READSHAW, JUNE 14, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JUNE 14, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Memorializing the United States Secretary of Transportation to

issue a Transportation Investment Generating Economic

Recovery (TIGER) grant to fund the construction of the New

Kensington Smart Growth and Sustainable Corridor & Multimodal

Facility.

WHEREAS, The New Kensington Smart Growth and Sustainable

Corridor & Multimodal Facility project is a catalyst for

regenerating economic development and job creation in the

distressed city of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and in 17

surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, Building a multimodal public transit facility will

provide more transportation choices, promote recreation

activities, enhance economic competitiveness, support existing

communities and improve the quality of life in the area; and

WHEREAS, New Kensington's proximity to Pittsburgh and Route

28, a major artery that connects New Kensington and surrounding

communities with Pittsburgh, makes New Kensington an ideal

location for a multimodal facility; and

WHEREAS, This facility and corridor will represent the

northern-most hub of a planned New Kensington-to-Pittsburgh

commuter rail line, which is expected to be under construction

by 2014; and

WHEREAS, The project plans also provide for a bicycle and

pedestrian throughway trail and proponents of the plan seek to

build local and regional innovative education resources to

support early childhood education through partnerships with the

Valley Points Family YMCA and the New Kensington-Arnold School

District; and

WHEREAS, The project will include the reconstruction of

Constitution Boulevard, a two-lane collector road that runs

adjacent to the future commuter rail line and connects New

Kensington with Arnold, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Grant applicants include the City of New Kensington,

the Redevelopment Authority of New Kensington and the Valley

Points Family YMCA, all of which have been investing in and

pursuing this project for several years; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives memorialize the

United States Secretary of Transportation to issue a

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)

grant to the grant applicants to fund the construction of the

New Kensington Smart Growth and Sustainable Corridor &

Multimodal Facility; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the

Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to take action to support

the project as well; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and to each

member of Congress from Pennsylvania.