Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll joined local and state officials to highlight a $1.1 million Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) investment to rebuild and reopen the Bell Street Pedestrian Bridge connecting Wesleyville Borough and Lawrence Park Township in Erie County. Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration have invested over $143 million through the MTF to support transportation projects that improve safety, connect communities, and grow local economies across Pennsylvania.
“Transportation is more than moving goods along the highway, it is about connecting people to resources and each other,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We do that through projects big and small: major interstate construction and large-scale paving projects as well as sidewalk improvements and multimodal trails. The Shapiro Administration understands that we must invest in our infrastructure to improve quality of life and create stronger economies across Pennsylvania. PennDOT is proud to support critical community connections like the Bell Street Pedestrian Bridge.”
The nearly 100-year-old bridge was originally built by General Electric to provide a walking path over Fourmile Creek for workers traveling to and from work. Prior to its closure in 2022 due to structural safety concerns, the bridge was a popular connection between business districts, the Water Street Corridor, Iroquois School District buildings, and public transit stops. Planned improvements to the bridge include new deck and piers, safety lighting, and streambank restoration.
“PennDOT takes a holistic approach to transportation. Multimodal projects like this pedestrian bridge are key pieces of the overall network that enhance the community and allow people to walk or bike to their destinations safely and efficiently,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty. “Among the things that stand out about this project is the collaborative nature of the effort. Community leadership recognized their shared interest in this asset as well as the entire Water Street Corridor and mutual interest in improvements for the benefit of residents on both sides of their border.”
The project was identified through the Lawrence Park and Wesleyville Multimodal Trail Feasibility Study and Alternative Analysis, funded by PennDOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation (BPT). Wesleyville applied for the MTF grant to rebuild the bridge, which is on land owned by Lawrence Park Township.
The project marks another major milestone for the region and aligns with the Governor’s continued commitment to boosting economic development across Pennsylvania.
Since taking office, the Governor has advanced significant investments to strengthen Erie’s economy and revitalize the Bayfront through strategic infrastructure upgrades.
- Governor Shapiro announced the development of a multi-year Bayfront Parkway Improvement Project in September 2023, taking the first steps to strengthen connections between downtown Erie and the waterfront, improving accessibility and safety for all users.
- To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission took over operations of the U.S. Brig Niagara and sent the ship to Maine for a one-year capital preservation project. The ship will return to its Erie homeport on July 2.
- In December 2024, the Shapiro Administration designated Erie as a City Revitalization Improvement Zone, enabling targeted state support for economic development projects across the city.
- As part of the most recent round of Main Street Matters grants, the Shapiro Administration awarded $850,000 to the Erie Downtown Development Corporation to construct the Flagship City Commons small business incubator in Erie.
In further support of the effort, Wesleyville received Community Development Block Grant funding from Erie County to improve sidewalk near and leading to the bridge.
"This project marks a key step in improving the Water Street Corridor, enhancing safety for the traveling public, and rebuilding a vital piece of 100-year-old infrastructure that connects our two communities," said Wesleyville Borough Manager Marcus Jacobs.
The MTF provides grant funding to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit access.
To learn more about MTF and the 54 projects awarded funding in the latest round of the program, visit the PennDOT website.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or jharry@pa.gov
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