Shapiro Administration Invests over $49.5 Million in Projects to Improve Pedestrian Access and Enhance Safety – Technologist

Press release from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 4/25/2024

PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll announced investments totaling more than $49.5 million in 55 projects that will improve community resources and enhance public accessibility across the Commonwealth.

Through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside), the Administration awarded projects that improve the accessibility of biking and walking paths and amenities, pedestrian access to public transportation, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation projects, and trails. Additionally, awards include safe routes to school (SRTS) projects designed to create and improve alternative access to schools via new crosswalks, sidewalks and walking paths.

“A diverse transportation network that is both accessible and safe is the cornerstone of healthy, connected communities,” said Carroll. “I am excited to see the investment in communities around the state to improve access to critical services.”

Notable awarded projects include:

• $734,871 to the Borough of Chambersburg in Franklin County to permanently close two street blocks to vehicular traffic adjacent to the former Southgate Shopping Center to create a pedestrian and bicycle-only route. The project will create direct pedestrian access from the neighboring senior housing and residential blocks to a new medical facility, create greater bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to the Southgate neighborhood and existing Rail Trail.
• $1,184,767 to Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County to extend the Township’s sidewalk network to make important connections between neighborhoods and key destinations such as the Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, Central Dauphin Middle School, and many neighborhood-serving businesses. The new sidewalk connections will include all necessary signage, ADA accessible ramps, and crosswalks, and will narrow the width of the roadway, which will act as a traffic calming feature on Prince Street and improve pedestrian safety.
• $1,500,000 to the City of York in York County for a variety of safe routes to school improvements at 12 schools including:  (1) Upgrade existing 15 mph school zone signage to flashing signals.  (2) Install new 15 mph school zone flashing signals, signs, and pavement markings.  (3) Replace old overhead 15 mph school zone flashing signals, signs, and pavement markings.  (4)  Re-mark and re-sign adjacent intersection school crosswalks.  (5) Construct missing sidewalk gaps/connections along school walking routes.  (6) Construct/install a new traffic signal with pedestrian/school crossing amenities at the North Beaver Street/West North Street all-way stop controlled intersection.
• $1,400,000 to the City of Erie in Erie County to install ADA compliant sidewalks and ramps in locations where there are currently missing segments of sidewalk within the 1.5 mile walking radius of City of Erie schools. It will also include installation of high visibility crosswalk and signage.
• $834,176 to the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association in Luzerne County for a trail connection from the Creekside Trail portion of the Back Mountain Trail in Luzerne Borough to the end of the Susquehanna River levee trail in Edwardsville. The project will be a multi-use trail intended for bicycle and pedestrian use, with the potential for equestrian use.

A list of awards for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Projects is available on the program web page.

PennDOT received 137 applications this round, requesting over $165 million. Selections were made based on established criteria such as safety benefits,  cost effectiveness, readiness for implementation, impact on low-income or minority communities, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leveraging of other projects or funding. Applications were reviewed by representatives from PennDOT, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.

Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results . Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at https://www.projects.penndot.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Zachary Appleby, [email protected] or 717-783-8800