Lehighton has received $250,000 in state funding for infrastructure safety improvements in the borough’s Waterfront area.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and state Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, announced the awarding in state funding Wednesday morning.

Made available through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, the grant will be used to assist with pedestrian safety and traffic-calming upgrades in the borough’s Waterfront area.

The work along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard and Lehigh Drive will include a 6-foot-wide walkway, crosswalks, curb extensions, ADA ramps and signage. In addition, the continuous left-turn lane along the boulevard will be removed.

“I was pleased to play a role in securing this funding for a project that will make Lehighton safer and also boost the local economy,” Heffley said. “The pedestrian walkway planned along Lehigh Drive will provide access to the new Lehighton Outdoor Center. On top of expecting more than 20,000 people a year to participate in kayaking, bicycling or rafting excursions, the center is the trailhead to the Lehighton Spur of the D&L Trail, which draws additional recreational users. Not only will this project focus on encouraging pedestrian and bike traffic, but it will also increase safety for all travelers in the area. I can’t wait for its completion.”

“The Borough of Lehighton, along with steady support and investment from the commonwealth, has done a great job of developing and revitalizing its waterfront section, which has had a considerable economic impact on not only the borough, but also the surrounding region,” added Yudichak. “As our communities in Carbon County continue to grow thanks to a flourishing tourism industry, it’s important that we continue to make the necessary transportation infrastructure investments to keep pedestrians and motorists safe.”

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said borough officials were pleased to hear of the grant award.

“Paired with the receipt of the Local Share grant award, the borough will be able to make improvements for the safety of pedestrians and vehicles along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard,” Beckett said. “This grant assists with the goal of safely connecting the Lehigh River, the D&L Trail and our businesses along Lehigh Drive to the downtown district. We have been planning this project since the completion of the Waterfront Traffic Study in 2018, and look forward to making the improvements a reality.”

Beckett added that in addition to the Multimodal Transportation Fund award, the borough also has $230,000 from Local Share funds that were awarded in 2020.

“We will be working with the project engineers to reduce the original scope of work estimated at $1 million,” she said. “More information will follow as we work on the project.”

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to state residents.

The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.