Tarentum seeking nearly $300,000 in grants for 2 water line projects

Tarentum Council is eyeing more than $300,000 in grants from Allegheny County to improve borough infrastructure.

Council last week approved two applications to the county Department of Economic Development for projects along West 11th Avenue and Collins Way.

“Ultimately, both projects are about the safety of our residents,” Manager Dwight Boddorf said.

“One project aims to ensure safe water consumption, while the other aims to ensure road safety in the winter.”

Council applied for $232,435 for work on a West 11th Avenue waterline. Money would be used to upgrade outdated pipes and replace them with PVC piping, Boddorf said.

The new PVC pipe will eliminate corrosion that cast iron pipes are prone to, he said.

The project will also increase water flow and resolve leaks that riddled the old pipes.

“Any time we can get grants for projects for improvements to the borough is a plus,” Council member Lou Ann Homa said.

Council applied for a second grant for $93,700 to target runoff along Collins Way.

Boddorf said it’s creating a hazard because several springs in the area cause icy conditions in winter.

Work would include installing inlets, storm pipes and asphalt to collect the water and direct it into the existing storm sewer system on Central Avenue.

Homa said the work in both areas will cause a short-term disruption and parking inconveniences but the upgrades will be worth it.

“I believe the residents will accept that for the improvement in the water lines,” she said.