The Monroe County commissioners agreed to provide $2 million to the Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority as a guaranty agreement note for engineering work on the Route 715 interchange project.

“The $2 million is for (Exit) 298/299,” said Commissioner Chairman John Christy at their meeting on Dec. 3. The work affects both east and west bound. “This has been a long-standing agreement we’ve had with the Pocono Mountain Industrial Development Authority. It is bringing the amount down from $4 million to $2 million. That money is there to cover any costs that are incurred from obligations that the county has because we’re the backstop for the Pocono Mountain Industrial Development Authority. They are first in line, but we are the backstop for them.”

Christy explained that the county has made guaranty agreements for other invoices in the past.

Robert Gress, the chief clerk, said in an interview, “The IDA (county) is administering a grant for the project in the amount $15 million. The project includes work from the Sunoco Station (on Route 715) to Sullivan Trail. Due to cost estimates and contributions from businesses, the guarantee was reduced to $2 million from $4 million.”

The exit ramps are for traffic to get on and off Interstate 80.

For other roadwork in the county, Jennifer Peterson, the executive director of the Redevelopment Authority, told the commissioners that East Stroudsburg plans to pave Day and Vine streets in the amount of $129,637. She presented the information as part of a public hearing for a modification of Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Community Development Block grant received by East Stroudsburg.

“We are still doing Maple Ave. and Burwick Heights, only we moved that funding to FY23 CDBG grant so that Maple Ave., Burwick Heights, Day Street and Vine Street will all be completed in 2026,” Peterson said.