Today, State Senator Marty Flynn announced Blakely Borough in Lackawanna County will receive $123,210 to improve pedestrian safety at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The grant was awarded from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program.
“The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is something our district should be immensely proud of,” Senator Flynn said. “It’s gorgeous and sprawling, but because it spans such a large distance, there are certain points – like the one at Depot Street in Blakely – where pedestrian and cyclist traffic may be forced to intersect with vehicle traffic. We’re making sure that those areas flow as safely and efficiently as possible.”
Blakely Borough will receive funding to improve the mid-block crossing at Depot Street. Improvements will include ADA accessible ramps, flashing beacons to alert drivers and pedestrians/cyclists to slow down and be aware of conditions, signage to encourage sharing the road, and a high visibility colored concrete crossing.
PennDOT awarded approximately $12.9 million in 2021 ARLE funding to 22 municipalities statewide to fund 28 safety projects. The ARLE program uses fines from red light violations to fund traffic and pedestrian infrastructure that improves safety, enhances mobility, and reduces congestion.
Governor Tom Wolf has shared a full list of projects that will receive 2021 ARLE funding.