Lower Paxton awards Colonial Road signal‑improvement contract despite residents urging corridor fixes

The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 16 to award a contract for Colonial Road corridor traffic-signal improvements, authorizing work that staff said includes repaving the intersection, upgraded signal cabinets with backup batteries, camera and radar detection and related curb and pavement work.

Director Jarislowski told the board the low bid covered the entire intersection scope and that an easement from the adjacent mall had been approved. A supervisor stated that the low bid—and the packaged bid items—totaled about $490,000; staff confirmed that figure and said the bid set included mobilization and multiple line items beyond the traffic signal itself.

Members of the public and at least one supervisor asked whether spending on a single intersection made sense when corridor‑level needs identified in a 2005 transportation study remain unaddressed. Resident William Miller submitted photographs and said drainage, guardrails, delineators, sidewalks and right‑of‑way repairs along Colonial Road still require attention; he urged the township to coordinate with PennDOT on right‑of‑way responsibility before committing township funds.

Jarislowski said some corridor projects are larger in scope and that the township is pursuing grants to expand work on other segments; he offered to research the project history and provide supervisors with a deeper scope and timeline. The board approved the contract by motion and voice vote with no roll‑call tally recorded.

The meeting record shows the project will proceed; staff said additional corridor improvements may depend on future grant awards and additional design work.