Funding awarded for Sharpsburg roundabout, O'Hara sidewalks

Plans for a roundabout in Sharpsburg and sidewalks along Alpha and Gamma drives in O’Hara took a step forward.

State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, announced March 26 that funding has been secured through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.

The fund provides grants to develop, rehabilitate and enhance modes of transportation statewide, Steele said. Sharpsburg will receive $500,000 to construct a roundabout and connector road for the Riverfront 47 development, and O’Hara is getting $200,000 for sidewalks in RIDC Park.

“In 2022, Allegheny County’s traffic fatalities spiked to 84, making it the deadliest year since 2005,” Steele said. “This funding will make massive strides toward reversing these trends by funding projects to ensure cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians may securely share space on our roadways.”

Sharpsburg Manager Christine DeRunk said the borough is honored to receive the grant award for “waterfront property transportation infrastructure.”

“On behalf of borough council and the mayor, I would like to thank Rep. Steele and (state Sen. Lindsey Williams) for their ongoing support for this critical project in rebuilding our community,” DeRunk said. “Having nearly 40 acres of developable riverfront property is virtually unheard of today, but we in Sharpsburg have this incredible opportunity to reconnect the community to the riverfront.”

O’Hara Manager Julie Jakubec said the township was very happy to receive the grant. She said plans are in the works for budgeting the project in 2025.

“Sidewalks in RIDC Park will increase mobility opportunities for both park resident businesses and the general public,” Jakubec said. “We would like to thank Sen. Lindsey Williams, Rep. Mandy Steele and county council member Anita Prizio for their support for this project.”