Bryn Athyn, PA: Transportation and Stormwater Improvements
March 2024 - July 2024
Alden Road in Bryn Athyn, PA
Community Description
Bryn Athyn, PA is a small town of 1,126 and has a median household income (MHI) of $117,727. There are about 310 taxable parcels, but a small college and church, tax exempt properties, are a significant part of the Borough’s land use. Many community homes reside on steep hills that slope downward toward a popular regional trail system and Pennypack Creek.
Project Scope
EPIC assisted Bryn Athyn with identifying appropriate funding opportunities to improve existing stormwater infrastructure along a road needing repair and pedestrian access. The funding source identified was a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) multimodal transportation fund grant and EPIC assisted in preparing the application.
Services Provided
This project focused on Alden Road in Bryn Athyn, a busy access road to a local trailhead and historic post office. The aging, steep road has partially collapsed and shallow culverts contribute to runoff to a nearby creek; additionally, along this busy street there are no sidewalks to access the nearby trail system. Bryn Athyn aimed to repave the road, improve stormwater infrastructure, and add sidewalks to enhance safety and trail access
Prior to EPIC’s involvement, Bryn Athyn had completed the site assessment and design process and sought funding for the project, which was estimated to cost $1.2-1.4 million. Bryn Athyn sought assistance from EPIC through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Funding Navigator program, which pairs municipalities with technical assistance providers in order to help municipalities improve their water systems. EPIC identified multiple state funding resources for Bryn Athyn, but because the borough was construction-ready, it declined those resources that would take several years to award funds. For example, the project may have been eligible for the federal Transportation Alternative Set-Aside (TASA) program, but it would not have given awards until 2028. The project may also have been eligible for grant or loan assistance through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), but due to that source's lengthy application process, the borough might not have been awarded until summer of 2026. Ultimately, EPIC assisted the borough in applying for a Multi-Modal Transportation Fund grant from DCED, which awarded $300,000 to the borough in March of 2025. The borough obtained the remainder of its funding from its own reserves and a local bank. The bank funds came at a 4% fixed interest rate and were available for use within 2-3 months. They will be paid back with revenue from tax increases.
Challenges and Opportunities
| Type of Challenge | Project Experience | Outcomes and/or Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Bryn Athyn declined multiple appropriate funding resources in favor of those that would provide funds in a timely manner. In the years it could take to receive funds from SRF or other funds, project costs or inflation may increase so much that it offsets the value of the lower interest rates from those funds. Municipalities can also refinance higher interest loans later on, but cannot do the same with project costs that increase as they wait for state-sponsored funds. | Many communities hesitate to use SRF or other federal funding, concerned it takes longer than private financing—especially for urgent projects with public safety or water quality concerns, or those at risk of rising costs. Clearer information on the SRF timeline can help manage expectations. |
| Financial | Bryn Athyn’s high MHI is offset by its small population, which limits tax revenue and hampers funding for major improvements, such as stormwater infrastructure which is usually not funded with a fee, but with taxes. | Provide a roadmap for states to more easily assist municipalities with setting-up a stormwater utility fee. Currently the fee is legally being challenged as a tax in PA constraining revenues needed to make upgrades related to stormwater. |
Project Next Steps
The repairs to Alden Road are currently underway. The existing surface has been removed and utilities will be located next. The rate increase to pay back the bank loan is expected to be approved in December of 2025. The town plans to apply for another DCED grant in 2026 for additional improvements to another part of town.