HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania is directing more than $49.5 million to 55 pedestrian, bicycle, transit-access and school-safety projects across the state, funding less than a third of the $165 million sought in the latest round of federal transportation grants, PennDOT reported.
The awards are being made through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, which finances infrastructure including sidewalks, bicycle facilities, trails, pedestrian connections to public transit and safe-routes-to-school projects.
PennDOT received 137 applications requesting more than $165 million, underscoring demand that substantially exceeded the available funding.
Projects were evaluated on factors including safety benefits, cost effectiveness, readiness for construction, effects on low-income or minority communities, regional or statewide significance, coordination of transportation and land-use planning, stakeholder collaboration and the ability to leverage other funding.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll described the funding as part of the state’s effort to make transportation networks safer and more accessible.
“A diverse transportation network that is both accessible and safe is the cornerstone of healthy, connected communities,” Carroll stated.
Among the largest awards identified by PennDOT is $1.5 million for the City of York to make safety improvements at 12 schools. The work will include new and upgraded 15 mph school-zone flashing signals, pavement markings and signs, crosswalk improvements, sidewalk connections and a new traffic signal with pedestrian-crossing features at North Beaver and West North streets.
The City of Erie will receive $1.4 million to install ADA-compliant sidewalks and ramps where segments are missing within a 1.5-mile walking radius of city schools. The project also includes high-visibility crosswalks and signage.
Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County was awarded about $1.18 million to expand its sidewalk network, connecting neighborhoods with destinations including the township municipal center, Central Dauphin Middle School and nearby businesses.
That project will include ADA-accessible ramps, crosswalks and signage. PennDOT also expects narrowing Prince Street as part of the work to serve as a traffic-calming measure.
The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association in Luzerne County will receive $834,176 to build a connection between the Creekside Trail portion of the Back Mountain Trail in Luzerne Borough and the Susquehanna River levee trail in Edwardsville.
The proposed multi-use connection is intended primarily for pedestrians and bicyclists, with potential equestrian use.
The Borough of Chambersburg in Franklin County was awarded $734,871 to permanently close two street blocks to vehicles near the former Southgate Shopping Center and convert them into a pedestrian- and bicycle-only route.
The project is intended to connect nearby senior housing and residential blocks with a new medical facility while linking the Southgate neighborhood with an existing rail trail.
Safe-routes-to-school projects funded through the program can include new sidewalks, crosswalks and walking paths designed to provide students with alternatives for reaching schools.
Applications were reviewed by representatives of PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and metropolitan and rural planning organizations.
A complete list of Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside awards is available through PennDOT’s program webpage. Information on state infrastructure results is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/results, while planned and active construction projects can be found at https://www.projects.penndot.gov.
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