Harrisburg council approves submission of $463,000 multimodal grant for Hurst Street pedestrian improvements

Harrisburg City Council on the evening it met voted 7-0 to approve Resolution 52 of 02/2025, ratifying the submission of a $463,000 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) multimodal transportation grant application to fund additional pedestrian improvements along Hurst Street.

The vote came after the council suspended the rules for discussion and heard project details from Joel Slater, the city engineer. Slater told the council the city already has a PennDOT-funded project for curb ramp and pedestrian-safety improvements along Hurst Street from 15th Street to Arsenal Boulevard, and the DCED grant would pay to extend work west to 12th Street, remove a right-hand "climb" lane and install a shared-use path or bike lane.

"Part of that design is gonna kind of block off the, what we call the climb lane for Hurst Street," Slater said. He added the extension would "offer a multitude of improvements to the community," including more predictable vehicle movements uphill and safer access for residents to a planned transfer facility at Cameron and Hurst.

Slater said the pedestrian-safety elements already in the PennDOT program are fully funded, but the additional scope the city seeks through the DCED grant would be out of scope for that program and therefore require city funding if awarded. He said PennDOT anticipates a lettable date of March 2027 for its work, with construction likely beginning in summer 2027 and finishing that fall; if the DCED grant is awarded in time, the extended work could be incorporated into the same construction timeline.

Council members who asked questions said they supported the safety focus. Councilman Rodriguez, chair of public works, said the proposal was "pretty straightforward" and supported moving it forward. Councilman Jones noted recent local traffic incidents at the corridor and asked about timing; Slater reiterated the 2027 construction window. Councilwoman Davis asked whether nearby development would reduce vehicle congregation at the Fifteenth and Hurst corner; Slater said the bump-out and permanent curb would improve sight lines and turning movements but could not guarantee congestion reduction.

After discussion the council voted: Miss Daniels, Miss Davis, Miss Green, Mr. Jones, Miss Ross, Mr. Rodriguez and Miss Hill all voted yes; Resolution 52 passed 7 to 0.

The council recorded the referral and action formally as a resolution authorizing the city to pursue the grant; the resolution will proceed through the administration and implementation steps if the award is received.

Project proponents and city staff said the extended work is intended to improve pedestrian safety in a corridor residents and council members described as a longstanding hazard.