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Public works recommends striping pilot for Bedford-East traffic calming; SS4A grant could cover majority of cost
Summary
Carlisle public works presented three traffic-calming approaches for the Bedford and East corridors and recommended a striping-only pilot (option 1) because it is the lowest-cost pilot and eligible for SS4A grant funds; council members discussed hybrid quick-build elements and operational impacts such as street sweeping and snow removal.
At a March 5, 2025 Carlisle Borough Council workshop, public works staff presented a menu of traffic-calming options for the Bedford and East corridors and recommended moving forward with a striping-only pilot to test parking-protected bike lanes and lane reductions.
Jeff (public works) told council the department developed three implementation options after outreach to neighbors and engineering review: a striping-only approach, a quick-build option using temporary physical elements (flexible delineators, bolt-down curb extensions), and a full permanent reconstruction. "Our recommendation is that we go move forward with option 1," Jeff said, citing the striping option as the lowest financial commitment and the best way to pilot several configurations before investing in permanent changes.
Staff said the borough's application to a multi-municipal SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads for All) grant—spearheaded by Lower Paxton Township—would only cover striping-only or quick-build work, not the full permanent reconstruction. The staff presentation included estimated costs: striping-only at roughly $295,000–$300,000 total with the borough—s 20% match around $60,000; a quick-design (temporary physical elements) estimate of about $380,000. Jeff noted those construction estimates exclude ongoing operational costs such as additional street sweeping, snow removal or procurement of different maintenance equipment.
Council members asked whether a hybrid approach could be used—starting with striping and adding flexible delineators at critical points. Jeff and staff said the striping-only approach could be supplemented with bolt-down flexible delineators at targeted locations but that the borough would need to address maintenance and winter removal to protect plows and avoid damage to the pavement. Staff also noted temporary rubber speed bumps and bolt-down elements can be moved and reused in different pilot locations.
Several council members expressed support for starting with paint while strategically deploying quick-build elements at high-conflict intersections. Staff said design would proceed if council approves an option; staff estimated design documents could be ready in about a year, with construction timed to avoid overlap with unrelated roadwork (staff said the primary road project would not complete before December of the year cited). The SS4A grant structure is 80/20; staff said striping would be eligible and the borough—s share would be the smaller portion under that match.
No formal council action to allocate funds or authorize construction was taken at the workshop; staff will present a formal recommendation and a project resolution at a future council meeting if council directs staff to proceed with design and grant agreements.
