A Gateway to Revitalization Transportation infrastructure improvement strategy for the Monaca Borough, Pennsylvania '• "I Project Summary Community: Monaca, Pennsylvania Technical Assistance: Strategic Action Plan Former Use: Steel Mill, Railroads Future Use: Support-Stream Industry Near a New Petrochemical Plant The Borough of Monaca, Pennsylvania primarily manufactured steel and railroad infrastructure throughout the industrial period. The industrial legacy resulted in many abandoned brownfield sites that lie adjacent to the Ohio River. Contamination at these sites can negatively affect environmental and public health. In 2013, the Borough and three surrounding partner communities completed the Ohio River Area-Wide Plan (AWP). This plan presented redevelopment approaches for several brownfield sites. Shortly after the completion of the AWP, however, Royal Dutch Shell acquired several parcels for an ethane cracker plant. This unexpected development (and major change in land use) prompted the Borough to rethink its vision for the brownfield sites along its downtown Pennsylvania Avenue corridor and Ohio River waterfront. The Community's Challenge The Borough quickly needed to figure out how to preserve the community's goals of improving the environmental quality of the Ohio River while realizing the full potential of the unexpected manufacturing and support-stream development. Specifically, the Borough needed support to advance transportation and safety improvements along Pennsylvania Avenue and create a complete street gateway that fosters economic revitalization. EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Land Revitalization Program provided contractor technical assistance to develop a land use and transportation improvement plan for the Monaca downtown corridor. After coordinating stakeholder meetings and understanding industrial development conditions, EPA prepared a Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Implementation Strategy. The Strategy offers specific recommendations and cost estimates for implementing transportation improvements, green infrastructure, and a revised bike-pedestrian trail route through Monaca's downtown area and along the Ohio River. The technical assistance that EPA provided will prepare Monaca to alter its main roadways for enhanced safety and economic development, and to reuse its brownfield sites in a manner compatible with expected regional industrial development. Vision for transportation and green infrastructure improvements at the 17th Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue interchange. For more information, contact Patricia Corbett, EPA Region 3 Brownfields Program, at corbett.patricia@epa.gov. s>EPA United States Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Environmental Protection Agency 560-F-19-005-E ------- |