HARRISBURG – Sayre Borough today has been awarded a $171,566 state grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Multimodal Transportation Fund Program to support Phase II of the Diahoga Trail Project, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
Sen. Yaw explained that the financing was approved during Tuesday’s CFA meeting in Harrisburg. The projects approved for funding are a part of the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, and funding for the projects comes from money generated by the Transportation Funding Plan, Act 89, approved in 2013.
The funding will help construct 3,100 linear feet segment of trail beginning at the Riverfront Park pavilion in Sayre Borough and continuing northward along the river to the intersection of East Hayden Street and South Higgins Avenue Valley at the Borough’s levee system. The Phase II segment will also include a section of trail connecting to Riverfront Park Road on both the south and north ends of the baseball fields.
“I am very pleased that this grant will support the ongoing effort to construct the Diahoga Trail,” Sen. Yaw said. “Once completed the trail will create a safe pedestrian and bike connection between parks in Athens and Sayre Borough’s linking these communities and its residents to the river. The trail will be a catalyst for additional long-term recovery projects.”
“The Borough of Sayre is very excited and appreciative to be awarded this grant for Phase II of the Diahoga Trail project,” said David Jarrett, Sayre Borough Manager. “What was once only an idea in the aftermath of historic flooding in 2011 has materialized into a true community asset for not only Sayre Borough residents and visitors but residents and visitors in Athens Borough and throughout the Greater Valley community.”
Jarrett added that when completed, the nearly two mile trail will provide hikers, runners, and casual walkers improved access to enjoy the beauty of nature and the Susquehanna River and be within two blocks of the downtown business districts in Sayre Borough at the north end of the trail and Athens Borough at the south end of the trail.
The project is expected to begin in June 2019 and be completed in November 2019.
Phase I of the project consisted of the creation of the trail along the Susquehanna River bank in Athens Borough beginning at Satterlee Street to Riverfront Park.
Diahoga Trail Project Partners include: Futurescapes, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, Bradford County Conservation District, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Bradford County Commissioners, Carantouan Greenway, Todd Babcock, PLS., Civil and Environmental Consultants, Stiffler McGraw and Associates, NTRPDC, Athens Borough, Sayre Borough, and the Valley Joint Sewer Authority.
For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
(717) 787-3280