Newly awarded state funding will support an intersection expansion and creation of a new access road at the Patton Crossing mixed-use development site along North Atherton Street.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority on Wednesday awarded $1.54 million to expand the intersection at North Atherton and Woodycrest streets, state Sen. Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, said in a statement on Wednesday.
The project will create a four-way intersection, with a new six-lane access road into Patton Crossing opposite of Woodycrest Street. Work also will include replacing traffic signals, adding sidewalks creating and lengthening turning lanes and other improvements to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
“This project will play a strong role in protecting the safety of motorists in the area and ensuring our infrastructure can meet the growing needs of local communities,” Corman said. “Keeping our local infrastructure strong is a high priority for me, so I am thankful that this grant will support these critical improvements.”
Patton Crossing will be constructed in multiple phases on the site of the former Penn State Mobile Home Park. The nearly 30-acre development will include 20 buildings for residential, retail and commercial uses, along with parking structures, a public plaza and event and recreational spaces, according to a master plan approved in 2019.
The first building approved for the development is an Aldi grocery store. Site work for construction of the store is under way.
The traffic improvement project is one of three local initiatives to receive more than $2 million in Commonwealth Financing Authority funding.
State College received $250,000 for the planned action sports park at High Point Park, which will include skateboard, bicycle and scooter features, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, said.
Planning is ongoing for the action sports park, which previously received a $245,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant.
“These worthwhile investments will ensure better traffic flow and pedestrian safety in an already-busy area of the district, and also provide an enjoyable recreational opportunity for residents and visitors,” Conklin said. “I look forward to seeing both of these projects moving forward very soon.”
Centre Region Parks and Recreation received $250,000 for phase 2 of the Spring Creek Education Building at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Expected to begin in 2022, the project will more than double the square footage of the existing building and will provide more capacity for educational community programs and special events.
