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Harrisburg council approves $463,000 grant application to extend Hurst Street pedestrian improvements
Summary
The council voted 7-0 to endorse a grant application to extend pedestrian and bike improvements on Hurst Street, aiming to eliminate a hazardous ‘climb lane’ and add a shared-use path between 15th and 12th streets; PennDOT expects construction in 2027.
Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday endorsed a grant application to extend pedestrian-safety work along the Hurst Street corridor, voting 7-0 to ratify submission of a $463,000 application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.
City Engineer Joel Slater told the council the city already has a PennDOT-funded project for curb ramp improvements and limited safety work from 15th Street to Arsenal Boulevard, but the current design would leave a sudden lane shift that creates an unsafe condition for drivers and pedestrians. The additional grant would extend improvements from 15th Street to 12th Street, remove what Slater called the “climb lane” used by ascending traffic, and install a shared-use path or bike lane to provide a continuous, safer route down the hill.
"Part of that design is gonna kinda block off the, what we call the climb lane for Hurst Street," Slater said, describing the change as a way to keep vehicles traveling straight uphill and to give residents a direct, safer path to a planned transfer facility at Cameron and Hurst streets. He said the pedestrian-safety elements are covered by PennDOT’s program, but the extended scope falls outside that program and would require additional funding if the grant is awarded.
Slater said PennDOT anticipates a letting date in March 2027, with construction likely beginning in the summer of 2027 and finishing that fall if timelines hold and funding is secured.
Council members who spoke in support cited the corridor’s safety problems and nearby community uses. Councilman Rodriguez, chair of the public works committee, said he had no questions and hoped the improvements could proceed. Councilwoman Ross noted a recent death of a child near the area and said the work is overdue. Councilwoman Davis asked for clarification about how the design changes would affect a narrow intersection at 15th and Hurst; Slater said permanent concrete bump-outs would replace temporary bollards and should improve sight lines and turning movements.
After a brief suspension of the rules to allow discussion, the council voted by roll call on Resolution 52 of 02/2025, which ratified the grant submission. The roll call recorded: Miss Daniels — yes; Miss Davis — yes; Miss Green — yes; Mr. Jones — yes; Miss Ross — yes; Mr. Rodriguez — yes; Miss Hill — yes. The resolution passed 7-0.
The measure moves forward with the city seeking the DCED multimodal funds; final design and construction timing will depend on the grant award and coordination with PennDOT.
