State College Receives $2.44 Million in State Aid to Replace Calder Way Stormwater Infrastructure

State College Borough received $2.44 million in state support this week to replace aging stormwater management infrastructure on Calder Way, according to state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township.

The low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest) will be used to replace outdated pipes that currently prevent stormwater from properly entering the wastewater collection system, leading to inflow and infiltration issues.

“In its current state, this infrastructure could lead to a dangerous sinkhole developing at any time,” Conklin said in a statement. “Upgrading it will also improve the quality of the water that deposits into the Spring Creek Watershed.”

The Calder Way project one of 25 drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects in 17 counties awarded $236 million in Pennvest funding on Thursday.

According to Pennvest, the loan will provide the grant-equivalent of $1,600,975 over the life of the loan. The interest rate for the first five years of the 20-year loan is 1.74%, and 2.18% after that.

Work on the project is expected to begin May 1 and conclude in September. It will include replacement of 1,320 feet of stormwater piping, along with eight junction boxes and three inlets, to provide adequate storage and enable conveyance at the system’s drainage area.

Replacement of stormwater infrastructure is part of an overall project to improve aging utilities in infrastructure on Calder Way between South Atherton Street and McAllister Street. The borough has $6 million, supported by American Rescue Plan Act funds, budgeted for 2023 for sanitary sewer system upgrades in the area.

Utility replacement and relocation is the beginning of a larger vision to transform Calder Way into a “pedestrian-preferred” corridor with limited vehicular traffic. Overall work is expected to take place over multiple years with an estimated cost of $32 million.

“The vision includes replacing curbed sidewalks with more artistic measures and the incorporation of other streetscape enhancements from Hiester to Burrowes,” according to State College’s 2023-27 Capital Improvement Plan. “The scope also envisions utilities improvements (e.g. sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water, electric).”

A 2020 feasibility study description, meanwhile, described the purpose of the infrastructure plans as being “to ensure adequate infrastructure capacity to create an environment in which the private sector can securely invest in the redevelopment of this federal Opportunity Zone in Downtown State College.”