Central Pennsylvania is set to receive more than $2.4 million in federal funding for road safety improvements. The funding, secured by U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, will be used for safety projects in Harrisburg, Lower Paxton Township, and Gettysburg. The projects aim to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities by identifying unsafe roads, retiming traffic lights at dangerous intersections, and planning future safety upgrades.
Lower Paxton Township is the largest recipient in the region, receiving nearly $1.4 million. The funds will be used to conduct Road Safety Audits, develop a guide for temporary improvements in coordination with PennDOT, and implement tactical safety countermeasures in a cost-effective manner, according to ABC27.
The City of Harrisburg has been awarded more than $955,000 to address an increase in traffic fatalities by retiming 25 signalized intersections in the core downtown area. The Department of Transportation stated that the city currently suffers from worsening signal-related safety issues, and poorly timed traffic intervals lead to driver and pedestrian confusion. The project aims to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users.
The Borough of Gettysburg and Springettsbury Township have also received funding to develop comprehensive safety action plans. The funding was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as reported by casey.senate.gov.