Gov. Wolf Announces $1 Million Grant To Extend Water/Sewer Lines On Route 13

A $1 million grant has been approved by Gov. Tom Wolf to extend water and sewer lines to vacant and underutilized industrial properties in the Route 13 Industrial Area in Bristol Borough and Bristol Township.

The grant, which was applauded by Democratic state representatives Tina Davis and John Galloway was announced last week as part of the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP.)

The RACP grant program is administered by the governor’s Office of the Budget to foster economic, cultural, civic and historical projects with significant potential for improving economic growth and new jobs, according to a recent press release.

The Route 13 Industrial Area includes the stretch of the roadway between Beaver Street and Beaver Dam Road.

Galloway noted that the grant will be a boom for economic development in the area. “Jobs, jobs and more jobs are the goal,” he said. “Improving the parcels dovetails perfectly with highway improvements in the area.”

LevittownNow.com recently reported that besides minor sidewalk modifications and traffic light changes, the $36.5 million Route 13 corridor revamp of 4.3 miles of roadway is expected to be completed shortly. 

The County Commissioners approved a $400,000 grant for the Route 13 Industrial Area back in April, which Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen called “Christmas in the spring for Bristol Township”.

“It will help bring more business into our township which helps bring dollars to the schools via real estates taxes plus all the permit fees,” said Bowen. “The township is limited in revenue sources compared to Falls Township that has the dump or [to] Bensalem that has the casino. Bristol Township’s only revenue source is from residents and business.”

The $400,000 grant for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, along with $100,000 for Bucks RDA went towards engineering and constructions costs. The 30 acre parcel of land, which is now owned by the Bucks RDA, will then be sold to a manufacturing company, expected to bring 250 new jobs to the area.

“The grants mark an important milestone for Lower Bucks County, both economically as well as for the health and well-being of all of our residents,” Davis said. “It is also a proud day for all involved – notably the governor, as well as county and local officials.”