Lewisburg receives $160K in federal funding to use for safer roads

Dec. 17—LEWISBURG — The borough of Lewisburg is the recipient of $160,000 in federal funding to use toward developing a comprehensive action plan to make the borough's roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The discretionary program has $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years.

The action plan will identify the most significant roadway safety concerns in the borough. The borough has budgeted the matching funds required in the 2024 budget for $40,000, according to Borough Community Development Grant Manager Shannon Berkey.

"As an eligible applicant, the borough applied for funding in July 2023," said Berkey. "These grant funds will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan that identifies the most significant roadway safety concerns in the borough. The borough will work with a 'to-be-determined' consultant to produce the action plan."

"In the next few weeks, we will receive the grant agreement for execution and find out the next steps in moving forward with implementation," Berkey said.

The SS4A program funds regional, local and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy and goal of zero roadway deaths. The 2024 allocations represent the second year of federal funding.

The borough's application

Between 2017 and 2021, the borough had 134 reportable crashes, 85 injuries and 96 unreportable crashes, according to the borough application.

"The community prioritizes and appreciates quality education and the arts and recognizes the important role that parks play in human health and residents' quality of life," according to the application. "Lewisburg's downtown bustles with a mix of restaurants, bookstores, retail shops, professional offices, and a small business incubator. This successful mix is greatly enhanced by a collaborative partnership between the borough, Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, Lewisburg Neighborhoods and Bucknell University."

The borough continually works to provide functional transportation routes that accommodate visitors downtown and commuters to town and campus, according to the application.

"More recently, an emphasis has been placed on bicyclists and pedestrians with the completion of the Bikeability Report and Climate Action Plan," according to the application. "The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail extension into town has increased traffic of all types. Continued investments in recreational spaces provide economic benefits to downtown businesses and downtown property values, while achieving the quality-of-life families are seeking. A fundamental shift is occurring to create a safe pedestrian and bicycle friendly downtown."

This can be achieved by educating people about the existing laws, physical design of the streetscapes, and developing a culture that respects all roadway users in the safest manner possible, according to the application.

"The borough needs to create safe, efficient transportation connections between all the attributes of the borough and its users," according to the application. "Creating a comprehensive Safety Action Plan that identifies the most significant roadway safety concerns and implements the Safe System Approach to address those issues is vital to the continued expansion and viability of the borough."

'Building on decades of effort'

Taylor Lightman, the executive director of Lewisburg Neighborhoods, said Lewisburg is a walking and biking borough.

"This is an exciting step to make safe network routes for all road users," said Lightman. "This builds on decades of efforts from residents and municipal to prioritize walking and biking."

Borough Councilwoman-elect Sam Pearson, who works for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and runs the WalkWorks Program in collaboration with the state Department of Health, is also excited about the funding.

"People in the Lewisburg area have long been working to improve road safety in acknowledgment of the numerous benefits of walking, biking and accessibility, whether it be in terms of health, economic benefits, environment, equity, or transportation efficiency. As part of my current job, I encourage municipalities around the state to apply for funding to do active transportation planning — and then realize those plans," she said.

It is an unprecedented time for active transportation infrastructure funding, but a vision is needed and a good plan to guide any grant requests, she said.

"I haven't been directly involved in this process recently in Lewisburg, but I'm looking forward to joining in and seeing the community put its collective shoulder to the task and ultimately to making big safety improvements for all here," said Pearson.