HARRISBURG – 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 Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48).
“With only about a third of applicants receiving funding, I am especially pleased Lebanon County will benefit. 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,” Gebhard said.
The Lebanon County Planning Department received $2.45 million to build on a former railroad bed and the former Union Canal towpath. Most of the trail will be compacted stone. An existing bridge will be redecked and one new pedestrian/bicycle bridge will be constructed. The existing tunnel under I-78 will be rehabilitated.
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 to South Hills Park. Where the sidewalk connects to South Hills Park, a connector trail will be constructed 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 would require a crosswalk.
Funding for the projects is being provided through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside. The grants will be used to improve the accessibility of biking and walking paths and amenities, pedestrian access to public transportation, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation projects and trails.
CONTACT: Matthew Urban, 717-787-5708