Two projects in Lebanon County will receive more than $3 million to improve pedestrian access to trails and crosswalks so pedestrians and bicyclists can travel more safely.
According to a statement from Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), funding is being provided through the state Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside.
“With only about a third of applicants receiving funding, I am especially pleased Lebanon County will benefit,” Gebhard said in the statement. “Both the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and South Hills Park are treasured assets we have in the community. These funds will go a long way to improve safe access to biking and walking trails in the county.”
In a press release Thursday, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll announced grants totaling more than $49.5 million, with funds set aside by the Gov. Josh Shapiro administration for 55 projects statewide.
“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.”
Locally, the Lebanon County Planning Department received $2.45 million to build a segment of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail on a former railroad bed and the former Union Canal towpath.
According to an earlier report, the 2-mile segment in question is Phase 10B of the trail. Construction is expected to begin next year. When completed in 2027, the entire trail will run from the Lancaster County line in the southwestern section of Lebanon County to Lickdale Road in the northern end of the county.
Most of the trail will consist of compacted stone, the release noted. An existing bridge will be redecked, and a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge will be constructed. The existing tunnel under I-78 will be rehabilitated.
Also, South Lebanon Township received nearly $538,000 to construct curb, sidewalk and grass strip on the east side of South Lincoln Avenue from the township line to South Hills Park.
Where the sidewalk connects to South Hills Park, a connector trail will be built to take pedestrians onto the established trail network. There is one traffic signal within the proposed area at South Lincoln Avenue and Poplar Street, which will require a crosswalk.
Other notable projects across the commonwealth include
- $1,500,000 to York, York County, for a variety of safety improvements for pedestrians at 12 city schools.
- $1,184,767 to Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, to extend the township’s sidewalk network, connecting neighborhoods and key destinations such as the Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, Central Dauphin Middle School, and many neighborhood-serving businesses.
- $734,871 to Chambersburg, Franklin County, to close two street blocks permanently to vehicular traffic by the former Southgate Shopping Center to create a pedestrian and bicycle-only route.
PennDOT received 137 applications for this round of grant awards, requesting over $165 million. A complete list of selected projects is available online.
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