Rainelle secures $12M for stormwater, sidewalk projects

The Town of Rainelle has successfully secured $12.1 million of federal funding to complete repairs and upgrades to its stormwater system and sidewalks. What started as plans for the rehabilitation of a section of stormwater piping has brought on opportunities to improve a wide variety of infrastructure across town.
The largest component of the project remains focused on stormwater collection improvements. A $9.9 million Community Development Block Grant – awarded through the US Housing and Urban Development Mitigation Funds program – will allow the Town to replace the majority of the system, which is currently experiencing failures due to age and previous flooding events. As a result of this work, several roads will also receive fresh pavement at the end of the project, including Greenbrier Avenue, the main thoroughfare through town.
Another $2.2 million was awarded to Rainelle for the repair and rehabilitation of more than 6,000 feet of sidewalks. The work will take place from 5th Street to 12th Street, rebuilding portions of sidewalk that have fallen into disrepair. This funding was made possible by Senator Joe Manchin, who selected the project as one of his recipients for Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending, also known as “earmarks.”
Both of these funding programs are highly competitive, with a great amount of time and effort required for success. The Town’s dedication and persistence in pursuit of these projects has paid off – approximately 18 months of application processes were endured, but the impact of these funding awards will last far into the future. Not only that, the ability to fund these multiple projects at the same time will allow for a more expedient and cost-effective construction process. Each piece of the infrastructure upgrades will work together, ensuring work on one project does not interfere with progress of another.
An engineering consultant, The Thrasher Group, has been selected to handle the improvements, with the design and construction processes beginning shortly thereafter.