Rep. Kelly invites Transportation Secretary Chao to Erie

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) recently sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, inviting her to Erie to discuss improvement plans and witness the city’s economic revitalization.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation applied for a BUILD grant that would be used for Erie’s Bayfront Parkway project.

The project would improve the Sassafras Street Extension, State Street, and Holland Street intersections for vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic between the Erie Central Business District and the adjacent neighborhoods to the waterfront property north of the Bayfront Parkway.

These improvements are aimed at increasing traffic operations and efficiency, decreasing traffic congestion, and reducing crashes on the parkway.

“Currently, more than $600 million in private investment is occurring in the neighborhoods and business district adjacent to this project,” Kelly said. “For this reason, I have submitted a letter of support to your office for your review. Awarding a BUILD grant to the project Connecting Erie’s Waterfront would bring critical infrastructure upgrades to capitalize on the private investment and enhance Erie’s success story.”

Other possible planned work includes the realignment of West Front Street and vehicular and pedestrian improvements along the bluff to Water Works Road.

The Federal Highway Administration has reviewed the project and determined it would not have significant or adverse environmental impacts.