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Duncannon pushes traffic-calming for Market Street after PennDOT grant denial
Summary
Duncannon officials discussed traffic-calming measures for Market Street — including a small traffic circle and temporary bump-outs — and said a prior grant request to PennDOT was denied because accident counts did not meet thresholds. The borough will seek alternatives and may add the project to the Picture Perry amendment cycle.
DUNCANNON, Perry County — Borough officials and county planners discussed possible traffic-calming projects for Market Street, including a small traffic circle in the town square and temporary bump-outs, after a previous grant request to PennDOT was declined.
Jason Finnerty, Perry County planning coordinator with the Tri County Regional Planning Commission, said the borough’s engineer submitted a state grant for traffic calming but the state ‘‘didn't have enough accidents in the square’’ to meet grant criteria, a factor borough officials cited as the primary reason for the denial. Michael Fulsberger, vice president of Duncan (Duncannon), described a proposed small traffic circle that would require removing several parking spaces but could be configured to allow fire trucks and tractor-trailers to pass.
The group also discussed alternatives including 'speed pillows' instead of traditional speed ramps and flexible temporary bump-outs to test changes before permanent construction. Finnerty noted temporary treatments ‘‘let people get used to it’’ and permit evaluation before committing to a concrete curb or raised sidewalk.
Members weighed trade-offs for downtown parking: the borough recently created a parking lot on the square (about 117 by 60 feet) using millings and is exploring pervious pavers through a potential grant. Fulsberger said the lot has held well for several years and that pervious pavers could be placed on the existing base if prices and contractors are available.
The county planner encouraged the borough to include Market Street traffic calming as a Picture Perry amendment for next year's funding cycle and offered Tri County staff assistance in preparing the application. Finnerty asked municipal representatives to reach out with design details and noted the planning process will remain open through Dec. 31 for submissions.
The work group did not take a formal vote; the item will be considered for the Picture Perry amendment list and discussed in future meetings.
