U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser, 9th District, announced that the Department of Transportation awarded a $21,012,220 grant to reconstruct a distressed 4.5-mile section of Route 61, a vital thoroughfare for residents of northeast Pennsylvania.

The money will be used for a series of improvements on a segment of Route 61, including reconstructing the pavement, widening the shoulders, slope stabilization, realignment of substandard curves, installation of approximately 1,100 feet of new retaining walls, and the rehabilitation of eight culverts and two bridges.

“Route 61 is a critical roadway in Pennsylvania, and this grant will help provide necessary improvements to the infrastructure of the highway, improving safety for those who traverse the road and creating economic development in the region. It is my hope that these improvements will allow for more businesses to flourish, and make commuting easier for Pennsylvanians,” Meuser said. “This grant will provide significant help, and I will continue to seek additional funding to complete the project.”

“The importance of this final portion of the improvements of PA Route 61 to continued economic development, growth and most importantly recruitment and retention of very good jobs cannot be overstated. PA Route 61 being a connector between I-81 and I-78, is a critical infrastructure initiative which has become a serious safety concern and requires immediate funding for improvements,” said Bob Carl, president of Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.