New Britain Borough Gets $480K For Butler Avenue Improvements

NEW BRITAIN BOROUGH, PA — More than 100 projects across 45 Pennsylvania counties have been approved for nearly $50 million in funding, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday.

New Britain Borough received $480,000 to improve transportation, walkability and economic development on Butler Avenue (Route 202), which is akin to the borough's "Main Street."

The grant will fund construction for a .25 mile stretch of sidewalk and a pedestrian bridge between Cedar Drive and Shady Retreat Road, which will increase walkability and provide alternative transportation.

“The addition of the sidewalk and pedestrian bridge in New Britain Borough will not only provide recreation but will also help with local economic development for the businesses in the borough,” said State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10). “Most impressively, when this section is complete, residents can bike or walk from Doylestown Borough all the way to New Britain Township by utilizing various trails, one of the many reasons I supported the award of funding for this project.”

In 2016, the borough released a Main Street Study that described its vision to develop and revitalize the Butler Avenue corridor, create a more walkable and attractive "Main Street," and develop closer ties to the two accessible rail stations and Delaware Valley University. In October 2020, the borough added an active transportation plan to the borough's Comprehensive Plan.

The funding comes from the state's Multimodal Transportation Fund, which was created in 2013 to fund improvement projects for roads, walking and bike trails, rail, traffic safety, public transportation and air transport.

Other projects that have been awarded MTF funds in previous rounds include: $1.1 million in pedestrian safety improvements to Delaware Valley University; $600,000 in funding for The Gathering at University Village, which will include luxury apartments, retail and office space in New Britain Borough; $500,000 for improvements to the Buckingham Township Roadway, which is privately owned by Provco Pineville of Doylestown; and $223,000 for a safety improvement project in Warrington Township enabling direct access to State Route 611.

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