Franklin city manager Tracy Jamieson and community development director Amanda Power dug out the display boards showing the plans for the 12th and Liberty Street intersection Wednesday afternoon after Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian announced the approval of $1 million to Franklin for the project. It was part of the awarding of $54.1 million 64 projects statewide.
For Franklin, this means the downtown improvement projects that are underway to improve driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety will get a boost, and allow additional work to move forward. This project will be folded into plans by the state to resurface and improve safety along Liberty Street which is expected to happen in the next couple of years, Jamieson soad. The sidewalk improvement project is currently underway is also a partnership with the state.
For Franklin, this means the downtown improvement projects that are underway to improve driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety will get a boost, and allow additional work to move forward. This project will be folded into plans by the state to resurface and improve safety along Liberty Street which is expected to happen in the next couple of years, Jamieson soad. The sidewalk improvement project is currently underway is also a partnership with the state.
The proposed intersection project will take Liberty down to two lanes beginning around 11th Street and adding bike lanes in both directions. Between 11th Street and South Park Street a center turning lane will be added.
This plan also allows for "bump outs" to decrease the distance for pedestrians crossing Liberty at 12th by several feet, perhaps as much as 30 feet at one crossing.
Some parking along Liberty will be lost but Jamieson pointed out the plans to turn 12th Street between Liberty and Buffalo into a one-way will allow additional parking spots there.
The city will gain at least five additional parking spots, maybe more, according to Power.
This plan also allows for "bump outs" to decrease the distance for pedestrians crossing Liberty at 12th by several feet, perhaps as much as 30 feet at one crossing.
Some parking along Liberty will be lost but Jamieson pointed out the plans to turn 12th Street between Liberty and Buffalo into a one-way will allow additional parking spots there.
The city will gain at least five additional parking spots, maybe more, according to Power.
Jamieson pointed out left turning lanes will be added at the intersection with 12th in both directions with new signals and signage.
Landscaping is expected to be done to improve visibility and the bend at the intersection will be lessened. The goal of the project improvements is to increase safety all-around, according to Jamieson.
Landscaping is expected to be done to improve visibility and the bend at the intersection will be lessened. The goal of the project improvements is to increase safety all-around, according to Jamieson.
In the governor's press release Wednesday, he and Sec. Gramian spoke of the importance of these grants for statewide infrastructure by helping the places like Franklin be better places to live. “These projects will help make travel in these communities safer and healthier,” Wolf said.
“Transportation affects every aspect of our lives,” Gramian said. “We are pleased to bring so many important improvements to communities across Pennsylvania.”
A list of awards for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Projects, including those funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (noted as “(BIL)”), is available on the program web page.
Power indicated that for this project, they could request up to a million. "That's what we asked for and that's what we got," she said. Jamieson credits Power, calling this grant her baby.
A list of awards for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Projects, including those funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (noted as “(BIL)”), is available on the program web page.
Power indicated that for this project, they could request up to a million. "That's what we asked for and that's what we got," she said. Jamieson credits Power, calling this grant her baby.
According to the governor's release, the applications were reviewed, and selections made based on such criteria as safety benefits, reasonableness of cost, readiness for implementation, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leverage of other projects or funding.
The applications were reviewed by representatives from PennDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Health, and three Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.
The applications were reviewed by representatives from PennDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Health, and three Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.
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