Lower Burrell will be upgrading its Rodgers Drive stormwater system to address flooding, improve pedestrian safety and better comply with federal water runoff guidelines.

The upgrades will include installing 225 feet of stormwater pipe and two new inlets.

It also will include 200 feet of cured-in-place-pipe lining — a form of trenchless restoration in existing pipes — as well as fixing affected pavement, curbs and concrete.

City Manager Greg Primm said the current Rodgers Drive system lacks proper inlets, which causes water to pull on driveways and sidewalks.

“It’s caused property damage and nuisance flooding and some safety hazards for pedestrians and motorists,” Primm said. “(The project) will rehabilitate the aging infrastructure and improve conveyance to the existing stormwater system, reduce localized flooding, protect property, extend system service life and improve roadway and pedestrian safety.”

Construction could start as early as August and is expected to end in December, he said.

Bidding for a contractor will open in May, Primm said.

The city has a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, requiring it to reduce pollutants in its stormwater run off.

“Our stormwater goes to the (Allegheny) river,” Primm said. “These kind of projects, when we do them, enhance and improve that from happening so that our sediment doesn’t get to the river and nitrates stay out of the river.”

The project will cost $76,730.

It is being paid for by state grant funding from the Local Share Account – Category 4 Facilities Program which uses money generated by casinos.

It is part of a $567,000 countywide package of grants.

“These projects are capital in nature and, by definition, capital means they are things that need addressed,” Primm said. “It’s not our day-to-day expenditures, and with the cost of everything going up, but the revenue not going up, these become very critical dollars for us to get these (grants).”

In a press release announcing the funding last week, state legislators said projects like this improve the “quality of life” of local communities.

“The efforts of local leaders and officials on these and other projects, have a profound impact on our municipalities, and I thank them for their work to ensure essential services and infrastructure remain safe, reliable and efficient for residents,” State Senator Joe Pittman said.