McCandless, Pa. − August 9, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams joined members of the Town of McCandless Council and residents yesterday to celebrate the opening of a new 550-foot sidewalk connector along Perry Highway (Route 19).
“Sidewalks do more than just improve pedestrian safety and accessibility—they connect communities,” said Senator Williams. “McCandless has been a leader in identifying where there are gaps in their sidewalk infrastructure working to make those connections to bring together their neighborhoods, people, and businesses. The DCED grant that funded this project was one of the first that I supported when I took office in 2019, so seeing it come to life and cutting the ribbon on it today is especially exciting.”
“More than 100 homes now have a safer walking path through a combination of residential streets and this new sidewalk,” said Jack Casey, McCandless Council Member for Ward 2, where the new sidewalks were installed. This connects neighborhoods to North Allegheny High School and the businesses in the Wexford Flats and will offer a walkable connection to the 46-mile Rachel Carson Trail. This sidewalk connection will allow for a walkable option to Vestal Park and opens the Town to the future possibility of a connection to the Ingomar section of town, Wall Park, and Potter Pond.”
Mike Tarle, Town of McCandless Council President said, “The Town’s Comprehensive Plan that was passed in 2019 focused on the Town providing more walkability within the Town and this project moves us closer to those goals. This connection provides a route that makes walking more convenient as it seeks to serve current residents and businesses in the Wexford flats.”
This project was funded by a $406,048 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Multimodal Transportation Program grant that McCandless received in 2019. Adding additional sidewalks throughout the community to improve safety and accessibility for residents is a key component of the most recent Town of McCandless Implementable Comprehensive Plan.
Video of yesterday’s press conference can be downloaded for broadcast here.