Harkins, Merski: $500,000 awarded for Erie traffic safety improvements
Rep. Patrick J. Harkins, Rep. Robert Merski August 24, 2023 | 3:41 PM
ERIE, Aug. 24 – New traffic safety enhancements are coming to Erie thanks to $500,000 in new state funding, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today.
The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the grant – awarded by the state Department of Transportation under the Multimodal Transportation Fund – will support State Street signal upgrades as well as pedestrian facility improvements.
“With traffic increasing in this area, it’s more important than ever to update the transportation safety infrastructure to protect pedestrians, motorists and cyclists,” Harkins said. “The signals on State Street between Second and Fifth streets are 60 years old, and modernizing the equipment is critical. Securing this new funding will allow the city to make those upgrades and also improve pedestrian facilities.”
Merski said, “Having antiquated signals in some of the busier areas of the city opens the door to delays, accidents and frustration – particularly as these areas are seeing increased traffic. Updating these intersections with advanced technology is going to go a long way toward keeping folks safer and making commutes smoother.”
The lawmakers noted that in addition to the funding to the city of Erie, the Borough of Edinboro was awarded $70,000 to repair sidewalk sections throughout the borough.
The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides funding to municipalities, government councils, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports and rail freight entities for transportation infrastructure projects.
More about the funding is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-shapiro-invests-nearly-50-million-in-58-transportation-projects-to-improve-safety-mobility-and-local-economies-across-the-commonwealth/.
The next round of funding will open at 8 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2023, with applications due by 4 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2023.