Verona is set to undergo significant sidewalk improvements in the coming years, making it easier for people to navigate the borough on foot. These improvements will include adding or rehabilitating several stretches of sidewalks along key destinations, such as Center Avenue, Second Street, Wildwood Avenue, James Street, East Railroad Avenue, West Railroad Avenue, and Grant Street. Enhancements such as crosswalks, new traffic lights, and road markings will also be part of the project.
The first round of upgrades will be made possible by a $206,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Verona provided an $88,000 match for this grant. This grant is one of the largest the borough has received in the last decade and is part of Verona’s Active Transportation Plan that aims to promote walking, biking, and other forms of transportation beyond motor vehicles. The plan was approved with support from WalkWorks, a program by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Downtown Center that has benefited nearly 60 communities.
Verona Councilwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter sees this as a significant win for the borough and is excited about the opportunity to improve Verona’s infrastructure and make it more walkable. The improvements will connect key destinations in Verona into a loop that includes popular spots such as the business district, Verner Elementary School, Cribbs Field and others. Jack Troy from TribLive can be contacted at jtroy@triblive.com for more information about these developments.