Mar 25, 2024 By Paul Paterra 3 min read

Mon Valley projects will be the beneficiaries of more than $43 million in federal funding announced recently.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been allocated $41 million for construction of Locks and Dams 2, 3 and 4 on the Monongahela River, while $2.19 million will go toward a sewer extension project in Carroll Township.

The funding – part of $61 million earmarked for the 14th Congressional District – is being distributed through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The district includes all of Washington, Fayette and Greene counties.

“This funding will supply workforce development programs, library improvements, law enforcement and fire department funding, locks and dam funding, sewer and waterline infrastructure, and economic development,” said U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District. “Simply put, this is a huge win for our district.”

Steve Frost, project manager for the Lower Monongahela River Project, said the $41 million will facilitate completion of the locks and dam project.

“This will take us far, and we’re looking forward to that,” Frost said.

The Lower Monongahela River Project was launched in 1994 to modernize locks 2, 3 and 4 in Braddock, Elizabeth and Charleroi. Recently, 73 stone fish reefs were constructed between Victory Hills and Clairton to offset disruption to the river and aquatic life that will result from the removal of lock and dam 3, scheduled for this summer.

Currently, operational testing is being conducted at the river chamber in Charleroi.

“As we move forward, that river chamber will be operational to commercial and recreational traffic,” Frost explained. “Once that river chamber is fully operational, then we will start what we call the decommission of the dam and locks in Elizabeth. That contract has already been awarded. We have to start planning ahead for what happens beyond that.”

The contract for that work runs through the spring of 2027. The project also includes cleaning out debris to open the new navigable channels in the river and adjusting the sailing line for the passage of industry vessels.

Ken Hillman, chairman of the Carroll Township Sewer Authority and the township’s board of supervisors, said the money will be instrumental in a two-phase project to extend sanitary sewers along State Route 136. The sewer lines currently end at Ringgold High School toward Ginger Hill.

“This money will help us get through the first phase with the matching funds that will go with it,” Hillman said. “It will get the section along Route 136 to the intersection of Route 43 and 136 sewered, which will include Momeyer Road and several of the homes along 136 that currently don’t have sewerage.”

The second phase involves opening up that corridor for economic development.

“The only utility we don’t have out there is sanitary sewers,” Hillman said. “We’re hoping that through this grant and hopefully future funding sources we can open that area up.”

Hillman said this project has been in the works for some time.