The Route 219 extension from Meyersdale to Maryland was nearly off the desk — till $53 million was acquired for pre-construction prices Wednesday.

State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-69) mentioned workers of the U.S. Division of Transportation’s Federal Freeway Administration had been pressuring native lawmakers to place plans and pre-construction prices in place. Certification for the challenge was being threatened.

“This exhibits the FHA — the Federal Freeway Administration — that we’ve a plan to maneuver ahead,” Metzgar mentioned. “We needed to combat within the state first to ensure the cash got here again by means of for this challenge.”

ADHS funds:$500 million quickly to be launched for ADHS, Route 219 work, says Sen. Bob Casey Jr.

The $53 million is for use for planning, environmental regulation prices and different pre-construction guidelines gadgets.

In all, Metzgar mentioned, there’s $87 million out there for tasks within the Appalachian Growth Freeway System. Route 219 is part of this method, and is now to obtain nearly all of the out there funds.

“The entire challenge was in jeopardy if we did not get this plan to get the challenge achieved,” he mentioned.

“This retains us alive and the challenge as a precedence.”

Metzgar didn’t say how a lot the full Route 219 extension challenge will price.

“That is positively a multi-year challenge,” he mentioned. “I do not suppose anyone would be capable of let you know that (actual value).”

In a press launch issued Wednesday morning, Pennsylvania Division of Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian mentioned the pre-construction part contains design, rights of approach and utilities.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is making important progress attainable throughout Pennsylvania. This funding additionally exhibits the dedication to rising and supporting our rural economies and transportation system,” Gramian mentioned.

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State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-35) mentioned within the assertion that he has been advocating for the challenge with state Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) for years.

“At present’s announcement securing $53 million of Federal Appalachian Program Growth funding will full important pre-construction actions and can proceed selling the challenge’s advantages to safe funding for the development of this crucial hall,” he mentioned.

The place does Route 219 begin and finish?

Route 219’s four-lane freeway part reaches from north of Ebensburg to Meyersdale. As a two-lane freeway, it extends from Buffalo, New York, to Interstate 68 in northern Maryland.

Route 219 additionally turns into 4 lanes for a brief leg in Maryland earlier than it reaches I-68. The connection was completed final yr in preparation for the 4 lane connection to Meyersdale.

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How a lot is required to complete 219?

Earlier this yr, PennDOT spokeswoman Tara Callahan-Henry mentioned that the estimated whole price of the Route 219 challenge is $250 million.

“We perceive this is a crucial challenge for our area and we’re working with the entire stakeholders to establish further funding to finish the challenge,” she mentioned in a earlier e-mail. “We’re in Preliminary Engineering part to find out the popular alignment and are happy with the progress.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. mentioned that rural communities are typically disregarded of infrastructure tasks and never prioritized.

“However we’ll proceed to advocate strongly for these tasks,” he mentioned.

“This challenge will make our roads safer and this highway specifically in Somerset County, 219, and higher join households in rural communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. It’s going to additionally strengthen the economic system by creating plenty of jobs and permitting companies to maneuver items quicker and extra effectively.”