Nesquehoning has secured nearly $900,000 for the first of a two-phase road reconstruction project in the industrial park area of the borough.

Councilman Bruce Nalesnik announced at the borough council meeting last week that the town was awarded $893,972 in Local Access Road funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission for the proposed Business Park Industrial Road Improvements project.

The money, Nalesnik said, this will allow the borough to move forward on phase one of the project, which is completely reconstruction Industrial Road, beginning on the western section from Route 54, past the entrance to the Panther Creek cogeneration plant and heading toward Nesquehoning.

The borough will now begin the process of applying for another grant to complete the remainder of Industrial Road as part of phase 2 of the project.

“This will enhance the access and make the industrial Park a more attractive entity for good infrastructure coming into our town,” Nalesnik said.

The upgrades are expected to begin next year.

Railroad Crossings

In other road matters, council approved an agreement with Reading and Northern Railroad for the railroad to upgrade the Tippets Road crossing to include lights and signals. The borough’s financial share of the project has not yet been determined.

Council noted that the railroad is hoping to complete that crossing upgrade this month.

“Matt Johnson (of the railroad) said Andy (Muller) is very eager to get that one done because he has seen too many close calls there,” council President David Hawk said.

Reading and Northern also plans to install signals at the Industrial Road crossing at the intersection with Park Avenue in the future, council said.

Street projects

Nalesnik also updated council on several street projects.

The Pine Street and Center Street paving projects have been completed, he said.

The 2025 borough road paving projects, consisting of East Columbus Avenue, Pastori Avenue and portions of West Marconi Avenue, has been awarded to M&J Excavations and will be done this year. No official start date was announced.

The East Diaz project curbing study has been completed and property owners will receive a letter by the end of August on the results. Curbing has been mandated for this project and property owners will be responsible for getting curbing installed along their property line.

This project will not take place until next year, Nalesnik said, noting that the borough is using funds from the Community Development Block Grant for this project.