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Council approves $99,328 study to explore long-term fixes for Roberta Road–Highway 49 intersection
Summary
The Town of Harrisburg approved a $99,328 contract for a traffic engineering study of the Roberta Road–Highway 49 intersection. Consultants will produce three alternatives and cost estimates to guide grant applications and future design; council discussion weighed near-term measures against longer-term, higher-cost solutions.
The Town of Harrisburg council approved a $99,328.08 contract with RK&K to analyze the Roberta Road–Highway 49 intersection and produce alternatives for longer-term congestion and safety improvements.
Jonathan Young, presenting the study request, said the work is an analysis-level engineering study that will produce alternatives, cost estimates and the documentation the town needs to pursue state or metropolitan planning organization grants. The proposal calls for traffic counts at multiple nearby intersections, preparation of three alternatives and preliminary cost estimates; Young said the firm expects to complete the study in roughly five to six months.
Council members debated whether the study’s scope duplicated earlier plans and whether money spent now would be premature given construction already underway at nearby corridors. Supporters said a study that produces shovel-ready designs and cost estimates is necessary to attract external funding and to protect town priorities as development proceeds. One council member expressed skepticism that meaningful improvements can be made without major property acquisition and multimillion-dollar construction; consultants and other council members noted typical large-scale intersection fixes can range from low-cost adjustments to multimillion-dollar reconstructions.
Young and others said the study may identify options such as reduced left-turn movements, roundabout alternatives, quadrant or other reduced-congestion intersections, and design-level considerations such as utility conflicts. Council members asked that the study consider aesthetic and corridor-branding priorities the town has discussed in its comprehensive planning work; Young said the study will consider corridor context and references the town’s earlier corridor plans.
The motion to approve the study contract carried on a voice vote. Town staff said the study’s findings will be presented to council when complete and used to pursue grant funding or to inform developer negotiations and capital project planning.
