Replacement of a traffic signal at Walnut Street and Little League Boulevard, as well as sidewalks, and the addition of handicapped-accessible curb ramps on Walnut Street from Little League Boulevard to Park Avenue, begins in two weeks as the next phase of construction starts for the Pathways to Health project.
"I would avoid that area," said John Grado, city engineer and director of the department of community and economic development.
Parking will be restricted on Walnut Street, he said. The road may be closed at times, or partially closed with a single lane in each direction, he added.
HRI Inc. was awarded the $643,805 contract to do the work, paid through a state Department of Transportation grant, Grado said.
The job includes replacing the traffic light at Walnut and Little League. The light will be changed so that it can be triggered by emergency medical services providers, who will be able to turn the light green in their direction and red for any opposing traffic, Grado said.
The same pre-emptive light system was put in place at the intersections of Walnut Street and Park Avenue and Walnut and High streets during the first phase of Pathways construction, he said.
The initial portion of the $5 million project involved improvements on Walnut Street, between Park Avenue and High Street, leading to the front entrance of the Williamsport Medical Center, and was completed in March.
The purpose of the project is to connect the interstate with the hospital and improve traffic flow from it to the hospital, he added.
The Pathway takes motorists from the Interstate 180 north on Maynard Street to West Third Street. From there it goes east on West Third Street to Campbell Street and north on Campbell Street to Little League Boulevard, then to Walnut street and ultimately the hospital.
