Dear Bridgeville Residents,
We, your Borough Council and Mayor, feel it is our responsibility to keep you informed and speak out about a critical challenge currently facing our community.
In 2023, Bridgeville’s McLaughlin Run Flood Control Project – Phase 1 – was selected by FEMA to receive $5.33 million in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funding. This is in addition to $1.87 million in state grants and municipal funds, bringing the total project investment to over $7 million.
This vital project is designed to protect homes, businesses, and lives by reducing flood risks and paving the way for redevelopment on the north end of town. Planned improvements include:
- Replacing double culverts under Commercial Street with a single-span culvert
- Constructing a levee along Carol Avenue
- Upsizing storm sewer systems
- Installing a pumping system
Since receiving the award notice, the Borough has followed FEMA’s process diligently—completing environmental and historical assessments, responding to construction plan reviews, and investing over $200,000 in engineering, permitting, and legal work. We’ve also worked closely with the DEP and Army Corps of Engineers, and coordinated with over a dozen property owners to secure necessary easements. All of this was done to keep the project on schedule and meet FEMA’s requirements.
Now, all of that is at risk.
We were recently informed that FEMA may not release the funding—not because of any local issue, but due to a broader federal policy decision. This would be a devastating loss to our community. Bridgeville taxpayers have invested time, money, and energy into a project that would make our town safer and stronger.
We need your help.
We’re calling on our residents to raise their voices. Please contact your federal and state representatives today and urge them to fight for the release of our BRIC funds and support this project. Our community deserves action—not red tape.
Here’s how you can help:
· FEMA Announcement that it is ending BRIC funding: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250404/fema-ends-wasteful-politicized-grant-program-returning-agency-core-mission
· Contact Senator Dave McCormick: https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/contact/
· Contact Senator John Fetterman: https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/contact/
· Contact Congresswoman Summer Lee: https://summerlee.house.gov/contact
· Contact Governor Josh Shapiro: https://www.pa.gov/form/governor/contact.html
We can’t do this without you. Together, we can protect Bridgeville’s future.
Sincerely,
Bridgeville Borough Council & Mayor
