Manager's Message: Year in Review

Accomplishments in 2022 set up township for success in new year

John M. Barrett, South Fayette Township Manager

Another year is in the books—and it was another great year for South Fayette Township.

We enter 2023 poised to hit the ground running and keep our momentum going.

But before we shut the doors on last year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments.

To some, the year will be remembered as the year we killed the toll bridge proposal. Understanding the negative impacts that would have resulted from PennDOT’s plan to toll the Interstate 79 bridge in South Fayette, township officials took legal action to stop the project before it could begin.

We also saw the long-awaited completion of the Southern Beltway, including four miles within our borders. The Pennsylvania Turnpike’s highway provided South Fayette with a direct connection to Pittsburgh International Airport and opened up hundreds of acres of land to potential development.

Work continued at Fairview Park to expand recreational amenities on the Mayview site. Overall, we secured $1.65 million in grants for park projects in 2022—and that’s on top of the $1 million grant we received the year before.

Perhaps most importantly, we enjoyed opportunities to spend time with friends and neighbors at a dozen outdoor events such as South Fayette Community Day, which returned in August after a two-year pandemic hiatus. More than 15,000 people attended community events in 2022, while 50 local businesses contributed more than $55,000 in support of them.

I am so proud of all the hard work township staff has put into making our community stronger, and I thank our strong network of elected officials, volunteers, first responders and other community leaders for their countless hours of support.

Now, bring on 2023…