Blog

In 2024, Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) partnered with four municipalities across the county to complete $756,600 in road improvement projects, funded through ACCD’s Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program (DGLVR). These projects address critical road issues while prioritizing environmentally sensitive solutions to protect local streams and waterways.

Whether managing landslides, improving drainage, or stabilizing infrastructure, each project showcases collaboration between ACCD and local communities to enhance public safety, access, and environmental health. 
 

Borough of Bradford Woods
Washington & Harding Road ($245,040)

This Low Volume Road project focused on stormwater management for a tightly packed residential street at the headwaters of Pine Creek. Key features included:

• Stormwater controls, such as drop inlets and an R-Tank, filter sediment from stormwater before safe discharge into surface waters.
• A diffuser plate to slow stormwater, reduce erosion, and improve infiltration.

The project exemplified how small-scale infrastructure can make a big impact in managing stormwater and protecting local waterways.


 

Harmar Township
Crone Hollow Road ($91,600)

A steep, dead-end dirt road in Harmar Township was transformed through Dirt & Gravel Road Program practices:

• Installation of new crosspipes with stable inlets and outlets.
• Ditch stabilization along the road to control stormwater runoff.
• A new crowned driving surface to prevent potholes and encourage proper water drainage.

These improvements enhanced access and public safety while reducing the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff.

City of Pittsburgh
Haverhill Street ($220,000)

In Homewood, a steep dead-end street faced chronic issues due to a landslide that sent sediment onto the roadway and into a clogged rain garden. The Low Volume Road project implemented:

• Landslide stabilization using seep blankets and vegetation to infiltrate and disperse water, reducing sediment loads.
• Upgraded drainage systems to capture uncontrolled water and mitigate erosion further uphill.

This project not only improved road safety for residents but also safeguarded stormwater systems and nearby waterways.

Elizabeth Township
Jacktown Road ($200,000)

Years of severe landslides turned Jacktown Road into a dead end, restricting resident access. Through funding from the Low Volume Road Program and the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF), the project:

• Stabilized two landslides and shifted the road away from slide-affected areas.
• Installed new drainage features to prevent future erosion.

These changes restored full access to both ends of the road, improving safety and connectivity for residents.

A Commitment to Sustainable Road Maintenance

Each year, ACCD awards grants to eligible municipalities for improvements on dirt and gravel roads or low-volume paved roads (serving 500 cars or fewer per day). Priority is given to projects that address roads negatively impacting streams and waterways or propose environmentally sensitive maintenance practices.

The 2024 projects highlight ACCD’s mission to support sustainable infrastructure that protects natural resources while addressing community needs. With ACCD's support, municipalities can develop high-quality applications and bring impactful projects to life.

Learn more and apply for grants