From the Uniontown Herald-Standard

By: STEVE FERRIS

Ohiopyle Borough is using a federal grant to become more environmentally green and do some sprucing up before the peak of the busy summer tourist season.

The borough obtained a $1.3 million grant of federal economic stimulus money through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for the project that is designed to clean and control the flow of storm water runoff entering the Youghiogheny River near the town's famous waterfall.

New concrete sidewalks, planted rain gardens, repaved streets and rain barrels for 33 homes and businesses also are part of the "Ohiopyle Demonstration Green Infrastructure" project, which is expected to be finished by June 1.

"It's really an exciting project," said Brad Clemenson of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), which is assisting the borough with this and other improvement projects.

Most of the work will focus on portions of Sheridan and Lincoln streets and all of Sherman Street.

A small part of Sheridan Street that is in Ohiopyle State Park also is involved.

Areas of the streets adjacent to the curbs where visitors to the park and borough commonly parallel park are being excavated. Perforated drainage pipe will be laid in the trenches, covered with gravel and the gravel will be covered with a layer of pervious pavers, or bricks.

Storm water will run through the pavers and be cleaned as if filters through the gravel before it enters the pipes and is released into the river, said Ohiopyle State Park manager John Hallas.

The cleaned water will collect in cisterns before it is discharged into the river, Clemenson said.

When heavy runoff overloads that system, the water will be channeled into inlets that direct the flow to planted rain gardens, or "bio-swales," which are designed to be attractive and functional, Hallas said.

New sidewalks will border the pavers and the streets will be resurfaced.

The work also will help the borough by reducing storm water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system, Clemenson said.

The rain barrels will collect rainwater from downspouts reducing the amount of runoff entering the storm water system and residents can use the water for their gardens and lawns, he said.

Many tourists seek environmentally green places to visit and this project expands the borough's image as a green community and preserves its rural atmosphere, Clemenson said.

"This is a substantial project," Hallas said.

He said Ohiopyle is a "portal" to tourist attractions throughout the Laurel Highlands.

Overall, the project involves 22,780 square feet of pervious paving, 33 132-gallon rain barrels, 3,083 feet of concrete curbing and 500 and 1,200-gallon cisterns.

Construction is expected to begin early next year on a $1.9 million project intended to make it easier and safer for bicyclists, pedestrians and kayakers to cross Route 381, which run between the borough and the park bordering the river.

Working together on the project are the PEC, the borough, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Community and Economic Development and the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.

The project involves installing pedestrian crosswalks, bike lanes, ramps for direct access from the bike trail to the falls area, signage and making other road safety improvements, especially at intersections.

Some of the work will be designed to provide safe access to a planned visitors center on Sugarloaf Road.

Andrew French, executive director of the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, said advertising for construction bids would take place in the fall and work would begin in the first quarter of 2011.

The redevelopment authority obtained the money for the project from a "Smart Transportation" grant of federal money administered by PennDOT.