The Clarion County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the application of a Department of Community and Economic Development grant for the Brady Tunnel in East Brady in the amount of $3 million.
Chris Ziegler, of the Allegheny Valley Land Trust, said design is moving along.
“We do have the first 50 feet designed,” he said. “We spent a couple of days moving the water over the portal so the contractor doesn’t have to deal with that.”
The first resolution was to apply for a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for $500,000. The grant is a 50-50 match that has been secured.
The second resolution was for a Department of Community and Economic Development Greenways, Trails and Recreation program grant for $250,000. It’s an 85-15 match, and the match also has been secured.
Last year, the DCNR awarded a $663,400 grant to the AVLT for work on the tunnel project. That grant is a 50-50 match, but funds from a PennVest grant can be used as the match. The total funding available is $1,326,900. The grants are being used for design of the tunnel.
The 36-mile-long Armstrong Trail is located on the former Allegheny Valley Railroad line along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion counties.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday for Phase I of the Brady Tunnel.