Pennsylvania Funds Harrisburg Infrastructure Improvements

Pennsylvania’s struggling capital, Harrisburg, has received state funding toward two local infrastructure projects, state Sen. Rob Teplitz announced Tuesday.

The Harrisburg Authority public works agency received a $26 million low-interest loan, administered by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority of Pennvest, toward upgrading the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The improvements will bring the plant’s ammonia and nutrient reduction requirements into compliance with the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection. This $53 million project will also receive $26.7 million in outside financing and a $973,000 H20 PA grant.

The city also received a $900,000 low-interest loan through Pennvest toward repairing water and sewer infrastructure damaged by sinkholes on the 2100 block of N. 4th St.

Teplitz, D-Susquehanna Valley, advised the city and its state-appointed receiver, William Lynch, to apply for the Pennvest funds.

Harrisburg is facing about $350 million of debt that it cannot pay, largely from bond financing overruns to an incinerator retrofit project.

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