The Daily Item
More than $1.7 million in state funding is coming to Sunbury and Lewisburg to find community projects designed to enhance public accessibility.
PennDOT announced 55 projects across the state will share more than $49.5 million from the latest application round to the Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside program. Sunbury has been earmarked to receive $1,429,865, while Lewisburg is in line to get $296,797.
State officials said awards went to 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 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,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “I am excited to see the investment in communities around the state to improve access to critical services.”
The funding marked for Sunbury will go toward the installation of sidewalks from Race Street to Packer Street, to allow for additional pedestrian access to Reagan Street as individuals cross there and walk on the grass.
PennDOT reports the project will include the construction of sidewalk, curbing, and crosswalks, from Race Street to Packer Street. From Race Street to Reagan Street there will be new pedestrian lighting and trees.
In Lewisburg, funding will be allocated to complete all of the remaining pedestrian and bike safety enhancements recommended by the 2019 Market Street Corridor Study. This will include bump-outs along Market Street at the intersections of 5th and 6th streets, and curb extensions between the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail and the new Multiuse Pathway and Bull Run Greenway through Hufnagle Park up to the Bucknell University campus. The project will incorporate Green Stormwater Infrastructure measures (rain gardens) in several bump-out locations and provide pull-off areas for public transit.
PennDOT received 137 applications this round, requesting over $165 million in state funding.