Four South Hills communities have received $222,700 in state and local funds to study development along the Light Rail Transit system.

State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Beechview, announced Wednesday that the Department of Community and Economic Development had approved a $150,000 grant in its Transit Revitalization Investment District program, which is designed to foster development around transit hubs.

It will pay for a market analysis, a survey of capital needs, residential and commercial development efforts, financial planning, coordination between neighborhood groups and government agencies and gathering public input in Beechview, Allentown, Beltzhoover and Mount Washington.

"The southern neighborhoods have our region's only light rail system running through the heart of our business districts, but we've been ignored when it comes to development initiatives. This grant will hopefully reverse that trend," said Ms. Wagner, a member of the House Transportation Committee.

Approximately 50,000 commuters pass through South Hills Junction daily, with around 10,000 passing through Beechview.

In addition to the state grant, the effort is funded with $25,000 each from city Councilman Jim Motznik and the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development and $22,700 secured by Ms. Wagner.