Dauphin News

HARRISBURG – Lebanon County is set to benefit from over $3 million in funding aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility, as announced by Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) on Apr 26, 2024.

Sen. Gebhard expressed his satisfaction with the allocation, stating, "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."

The Lebanon County Planning Department will receive $2.45 million for the development of trails on a former railroad bed and the former Union Canal towpath. The project includes the construction of compacted stone trails, redecking of an existing bridge, the creation of a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge, and the rehabilitation of an existing tunnel under I-78.

Additionally, South Lebanon Township has been granted nearly $538,000 to enhance pedestrian infrastructure on the east side of South Lincoln Avenue towards South Hills Park. This includes the construction of curbs, sidewalks, and grass strips, along with a connector trail to link pedestrians to the established trail network at South Hills Park. The project aims to address pedestrian safety concerns, including the need for a crosswalk at the intersection of South Lincoln Avenue and Poplar Street.

The funding for these initiatives is sourced from the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside. These grants are designated to improve biking and walking paths, enhance pedestrian access to public transportation, support community improvement activities, facilitate environmental mitigation projects, and develop trails.

For further information, please contact Matthew Urban at 717-787-5708.