Monaca gets $3M grant for roads near cracker plant
MONACA – Gov. Tom Wolf was in Beaver County Tuesday to announce approval of a $3 million grant for infrastructure work at the site of the ethane cracker plant Shell is building.
“The Shell cracker plant represents a truly transformative project for this region, creating more than 600 new jobs. But with that growth comes the need for infrastructure improvements to support it,” said Wolf, who was accompanied by state officials and local leaders.
The grant was approved for Monaca Borough’s Monaca Gateway Initiative project, to improve 6,200 feet of Route 18 and construct a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 18 and 51. Roads in that area are unsuited for heavy industrial traffic.
Dennis Davin, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, said: “Economic development and infrastructure are inherently tied together, making a project like this one a truly vital piece of the economic development puzzle for Beaver County. We will continue to work with Monaca and other municipalities in the region to ensure they have the resources necessary to grow and thrive.”
Funding comes from the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Funds program, which is administered with DCED and the state Department of Transportation.