More money is being channeled into the planned Lincoln Drive sewer system extension in Rush Township, ensuring that the ambitious project is much more than a pipe dream.

The addition of a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant, announced by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright on Wednesday, will help keep the funding and costs of the project flush. Township engineer Bill McMullen said the project should start this summer.Rush Township Supervisor's Chairman Shawn Gilbert said the grant award was welcome news."We're grateful to receive all the help we can get for the project," Gilbert said. "We still have some preliminary paperwork to wrap up, but we feel confident that we can get started as soon as the weather cooperates."At present, businesses and private residences are connected to a sewer line on the east side of Route 309, between the Route 54 intersection and the Hometown Walmart store. The new line will run under the bridge that spans the railroad line just south of the Two Kings Restaurant on Route 309 to connect to nine homes and four businesses along Lincoln Drive, west of Route 309.The homes presently use on-lot sewage systems, and the businesses use on-lot holding tanks. The area is near the headwaters of the Little Schuylkill River, a high-quality, cold water fishery.The new 3,735 linear feet of sewer line will connect to the Tamaqua sewer system by agreement between Rush Township and the Tamaqua Borough Authority.In addition to the $50,000 ARC grant, Rush Township has received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. Remaining monies will come from the Hometown Sewer Fund.