Fairchance Borough Receives $75,000 for Critical Upgrades to Spillway Project

Press Release

Congressman Bill Shuster is pleased to announce that Fairchance Borough will receive $75,000 in Army Corps of Engineers funding for the design and permitting of Spillway Project #2 on the Askren Hollow Dam. This critical funding will allow the borough to begin the design and permitting phase on the projectto upgrade and repair the spillway on the Askren Hollow reservoir. The reservoir was built in 1962, and after years of use the spillway is cracked and is in need of improvement. Safety improvements are a top priority, and in August of 2011, Shuster secured $600,00 in federal funding for Fairchance to help rebuild the spillway at the Cave Hollow reservoir.

"I am very pleased to have been able to be successful in directing this Army Corp of Engineers funding to Fairchance, said Shuster. "This money will allow the community to make necessary upgrades, improve safety, and continue to provide residents with quality drinking water."

State Representative Timothy S. Mahoney, D-Fayette, said, "this dam spillway ungrade is vitally important to ensure a safe and steady supply of drinking water for Fairchance area residents. Those of us who have worked closely with Congressman Shuster over the years appreciate the federal help he is bringing to our area, for this and many other worthy projects."

"If Fairchance lost this reservoir, their water system could not operate. The spillway is weathering and to do the repairs that are needed, we are not talking a couple thousand dollars fix. By Congressman Shuster getting this funding secured, the residents of Fairchance will not have to worry about this high hazard dam failing in their lifetime," said J. Scott Bush, president of J. Scott Bush Company P.C., a consultant on the project.

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