Verona is set to undergo significant sidewalk improvements in the coming years, making it easier for people to navigate the borough on foot. The first round of upgrades will be made possible by a $206,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, with Verona providing an $88,000 match. This grant is one of the largest the borough has received in the last decade, second only to a $300,000 grant designated for multimodal transportation.
These streets form a loop that connects the business district, Verner Elementary School, Cribbs Field, and other popular spots in Verona. These corridors were identified as priorities in the borough’s Active Transportation Plan, which aims to promote walking, biking, and other forms of transportation beyond motor vehicles. The plan was approved in 2022 with support from WalkWorks, a program by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Downtown Center that has benefited nearly 60 communities, including Churchill, Delmont, and Greensburg.
Verona Councilwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter sees this as a significant win for the borough and is excited about the opportunity to improve Verona’s infrastructure and make it more walkable. Enhancements such as crosswalks, new traffic lights, and road markings will also be part of the project. Several stretches of sidewalks will be added or rehabilitated to better connect key destinations. These improvements include areas along Center Avenue