Patton Township was not awarded a PennDOT grant this year for reconstructing the intersection of Bernel and Fox Hill roads, but officials are hopeful for funding in 2019.
Township Manager Doug Erickson said at last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting that a streamlined option is available for the resubmission for a 2019 grant application from the state’s Multi-Modal Transportation Fund. Supervisors directed him to move forward with the resubmission.
As currently configured, the intersection is termed a non-standard T. Eastbound and left-turning traffic on Fox Hill and right turning traffic on Bernel have right of way over westbound through traffic on Fox Hill.
The reconfiguration would create a standard T, with a stop sign on the Bernel Road approach and free-flowing through traffic on Fox Hill Road. Left turn lanes also would be created for Fox Hill Road eastbound and Bernel Road southbound traffic.
A 60-acre site near the intersection is being developed by Decibel Partners, and reconfiguration of the intersection is part of the land development requirements. Township officials also have long sought to have it revamped.
Patton Township first applied for the grant in March because PennDOT requires a municipality to make the request. The application seeks $1,171,307 in grant money, with a local match of $351,393.
Under the original application plans, the township would provide $100,000 and Decibel Partners would be responsible for the remaining match funds and administration of the grant. Erickson said the developers submitted a letter in October asking the township to increase its portion, but did not indicate why or by how much and Decibel Partners did not have a representative at the supervisors’ meeting. The township is moving forward with the original grant terms, which can be amended later if needed.
‘The main reason for applying for the grant was it was the easiest way to get PennDOT to the table,’ Erickson said. ‘It’s the intersection of two PennDOT roads. Trying to get PennDOT funding through the normal process is pretty competitive. Grants are competitive too, but we’ve had a fairly good success rate with grants from PennDOT.’
Development near the intersection includes Wynwood House Personal Care Community, which opened earlier this year, and the Nittany Valley Sports Centre, which is currently under construction for its first phase. Future development is expected to include a mix of duplex units, office, retail, lodging and light industrial.
The intersection project likely didn’t receive funding for the current cycle because several other Centre County projects were already in the pipeline and were awarded grants — the Pike Street project in Lemont and repairs for bridges in Spring, Curtin and Miles townships.
Erickson said he spoke with state Sen. Jake Corman, who ‘seemed to think resubmission was warranted and the project would be looked on favorably in the next round of funding.’
