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Beyond the Bend gets a boost
The $286.4 billion federal transportation bill recently signed into law by President Bush contains $1.345 million earmarked for Geneva College. The money will be used for improvements to Geneva's campus after Route 18 is relocated, including new walkways and entry roads to make the campus more accessible. The $1.345 million goes to the Beyond the Bend~Making the Path Straight project, Geneva's drive to raise $5.7 million to reconfigure the campus after construction on Route 18 is finished. This includes removing the old Route 18 roadbed and several abandoned side streets, creating a pedestrian plaza, and building a campus entrance.
The transportation bill, formally known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, was passed by Congress at the end of July and signed by President Bush on August 10. The bill allots funding for over 6,000 projects federal transportation projects requested by members of Congress.
The funds complement the $1.4 million secured by former U.S. Rep. Ron Klink in 1998 for the relocation of Route 18. The 1998 federal grant went to PennDOT to cover the cost of relocating the road but didn't help with the campus improvements.
Pennsylvania senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter backed the funding request on Geneva's behalf.