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Carlisle approves design contract and applies for $3 million to build Wagner's Gap shared-use path
Summary
Council approved selection of Dawood Engineering for design services and authorized a grant application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for up to $3 million to construct a shared-use path and safety improvements on Wagner's Gap Road (PA 74).
The Borough of Carlisle voted on July 10 to hire Dawood Engineering Inc. for design services and to pursue a multimodal construction grant for the Wagner's Gap Road shared-use path.
Why it matters: Wagner's Gap Road (PA 74) was identified by council and staff as having safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists; approving design and seeking construction funding advances a project intended to add a mixed-use path and other safety enhancements along a corridor used by the school campus and local traffic.
What council approved and why: Council approved issuing a notice of intent to award and negotiating a contract with Dawood Engineering for design work. Councilors clarified that the design contract (item 5 on the agenda) is funded from the borough's budget (including a previously awarded federal grant requirement to have design completed), whereas the separate multimodal grant application (item 4) would fund construction costs if awarded. Staff said the RFQ for design received 13 submissions and that professional services procurement differs from public works bidding.
Grant details and next steps: The resolution authorizes staff to apply to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for up to $3,000,000 toward construction. If awarded, the borough would use the design prepared under Dawood's contract to procure construction services; staff was directed to negotiate contract terms acceptable to the borough manager and solicitor and then issue a notice to proceed after signatures.
Council and public comments: Councilors asked for clarification on sequencing (design before construction funding) and procurement. Staff and council explained that design budgets were already in place and that the grant would fund construction if successful. One councilor noted prior experience with a design firm on a separate project (East and Bedford) and urged clarity to avoid redesign after extensive design work.
Implementation: Staff will negotiate the Dawood Engineering contract, issue a notice of award and proceed with design deliverables. The borough will submit the multimodal grant application on the schedule required by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
