2024 Year-End Report
A community that is engaged and collaborative can accomplish great things, and 2024 is a testament to this spirit! Over the past year, the Borough has made significant strides in a variety of areas. We completed major park improvements, adopted our new Comprehensive Plan, expanded staffing in the Police Department, and secured over one million dollars in grant funding for capital projects—helping to stretch the municipal budget. Additionally, we enhanced roadways and sewer infrastructure and continued our efforts to improve public service delivery. These accomplishments reflect the ongoing dedication of the Bridgeville Borough Council, Mayor Betty Copeland, the Borough Manager, and the staff to making our community a better place to live, raise a family, and operate a business. As we close out 2024, we are proud to highlight the following key achievements:
General Government & Administration:
- Secured $1,162,055 in grant funding for multiple projects, including the McLaughlin Run Flood Control Project, the reconstruction of the Gregg Ave steps, improvements to Chartiers Park, community planning projects, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps on Station Street, and Say No to Drugs children’s handouts.
- Recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a Banner Community by the Allegheny League of Municipalities.
- Partnered with Public Art Bridgeville to host the third annual outdoor sculpture exhibition.
- Distributed at no charge a new 32-gallon recycling cart to all households in the Borough.
- Maintained strict financial management, ending 2024 with a surplus that will be allocated to the Borough’s budgetary reserve, saved for emergencies, and used for future capital projects. The Borough continues to maintain a healthy fund balance.
- Adopted the 2025 budget, a balanced spending plan that ensures no tax increase for the eighth consecutive year.
- Contributed $4,000 from “Day on the Avenue” proceeds to the Bridgeville Public Library during “Love Your Library” month, enabling the library to secure additional matching donations.
- Supported the Bridgeville Historical Society by donating surplus older street name signs, which were sold as a fundraiser and raised over $2,500 for the society.
- Successfully hosted two Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Collection Events.
- Enacted regulations prohibiting the use of Jake Brakes on McLaughlin Run Road.
Public Works & Infrastructure Improvements:
- Completed the 2024 Road Program, resurfacing Center Street, Osceola Drive, Universal Street, Gilmore Street, Darby Way, Schulte Street, Irwin Way, and the bottom of Bank Street. Public Works employees also resurfaced the alley between May Avenue and Eisner Avenue in the 200 block.
- Made extensive repairs to the sanitary sewer system through a $360,150 contract, which included lining and repairing over 5,000 linear feet of sewer lines. This work was spread across the Borough and included full trench repairs on Laurel Street, Mill Street, and within McLaughlin Run Park.
- Improved the sewer system on Center Street by installing a new section of sanitary sewer and manholes in the 300 block. This project, completed by Jet Jack, Inc., cost $167,800 and enhanced service for seven homes.
- Completed the repair of the Werner Street landslide, a major project that included constructing a steel beam and concrete lagging retaining wall, adding storm sewers, guardrails, fencing, and resurfacing the roadway.
- Made storm sewer improvements throughout the Borough, including work on McLaughlin Run Road and the reconstruction of catch basins on Center Street, Sarah Street, Laurel Street, Coolidge Street, Osceola Drive, Spruce Street, Station Street, and Jane Way.
- Installed the first phase of Downtown Wayfinding Signs, which also included improved signage for public parking lots.
- Purchased a new public works dump truck, utility truck, and updated brush and leaf collection boxes.
- Upgraded the Borough Building with a new front garage door for the Police Sallyport.
- Made improvements at the intersection of Prestley Road, Perrett Street, and Charlet Street, including changes to striping and the relocation of a stop sign, as recommended by a PENNDOT traffic engineer.
Public Safety:
- Hired an additional full-time police officer, reducing the reliance on part-time officers.
- Provided funding to the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), enhancing their air mask equipment.
- The Police Department responded to 7,403 service requests, conducted 4,402 business checks, patrolled over 35,750 miles, made 130 criminal arrests, and issued more than 633 traffic citations.
- The Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department responded to 413 emergencies, with an average response time of six- and one-half minutes from dispatch to arrival.
- SouthBridge EMS responded to 1,270 calls for service within the Borough.
Flood Mitigation:
- Secured all necessary easements for the construction of Phase 1A of the McLaughlin Run Flood Control Project. Permits for the project were submitted and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Experienced two separate flooding events in April, which caused damage to Chartiers Park and parts of Baldwin Street, leading to extensive cleanup efforts completed by the Public Works Department, the Bridgeville Athletic Association and dozens of community volunteers.
- Public Works crews removed thousands of tons of sediment from McLaughlin Run Creek and the Chartiers Creek Back Channel, aiming to reduce the impact of flooding and severe rainstorms.
Parks & Recreation:
- Completed construction of a new playground at McLaughlin Run Park, featuring an improved rubber fall surface in place of wood mulch and inclusive amenities for individuals with disabilities.
- Reconstructed the basketball court area at Cook School Park, which now includes a new pickleball court.
- Supported multiple community events, including Spring Cleanup Day, Day on the Avenue, the Halloween Parade, Memorial Day Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, and Winter Blast.
- Partnered with the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Bridgeville Rotary Club, and the Bridgeville Area Lions Club on a project to transform the former ballfield at McLaughlin Run Park into a passive wildflower meadow.
- Collaborated with Tree Pittsburgh’s TreeVitalize program and over 40 community volunteers to plant 17 trees at Cook School Park in the spring. A fall planting event in November added a dozen trees at public lots and right-of-ways throughout the town.
Planning & Code Enforcement:
- Adopted a new Comprehensive Plan to guide future growth and development.
- Implemented several recommendations from the 2022 Active Transportation Plan, with projects slated for early 2025, including the reconstruction of the Gregg Avenue Steps, the construction of Bank Street bump-outs, and safety improvements to the mid-block crosswalks on Washington Avenue downtown.
- Code Enforcement investigated and issued 188 property maintenance and zoning violation notices, and issued 67 building and zoning permits.
- Partnered with Upper St. Clair Township to advance an engineering study for a potential roundabout at the Bank Street/Mayview Road/Lesnett Road/Chartiers Street intersection.
- Supported redevelopment at 372 Commercial Street, with the approval of land development plans for a new office and warehouse building constructed for Kalkreuth Roofing Co.
With a shared vision for a brighter future, we are poised to build on the progress achieved in 2024 as a springboard for even greater success in 2025. This year, we are set to complete several important projects, including multiple Active Transportation initiatives, the commencement of construction on the McLaughlin Run Flood Control Project, an extensive road paving program, advanced community planning to explore potential changes to the downtown zoning district, upgrades to police and public works equipment, and significant investments in the sanitary sewer system. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone for their contributions over the past year. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides toward advancing Bridgeville as a community.