Crosswalks are going to be built citywide and Billtown can thank those who ran red lights in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for it.

City Council this week passed a resolution awarding construction services for the crosswalks to Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., as presented by Bill Scott, city engineer.

Hawbaker was the low bidder with a quote of $764,150, he said.

There will be 12 crosswalks — six near Lycoming College and six others in the city, he said. The city had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the college.

The project is paid for using a state Department of Transportation Automated Red Light Enforcement funding program grant.

The crosswalks near the college are at Mulberry and East Fourth streets; Mulberry and Bennett streets; Mulberry and Ross streets; Mulberry and East Seventh streets, and Washington Boulevard and Elizabeth Street.

The city portion of the contract for six other crosswalks are at West Fourth and Campbell streets; West Third and Campbell streets; West Third and Maynard streets; East Third and Mulberry streets; East Third and Basin streets and Basin Street and Via Bella.

The funding is 55% of ARLE and a match of 15%, with the grant covering the construction project costs. The cost sharing with the city and college based on the MOU is the city is paying for 55 % of the project and the college 45 %, Scott said.

“It seems to be higher than we would have expected,” noted Councilwoman Liz Miele.

It is a “strange bidding climate,” Scott noted, adding that those doing these kind of projects that require petroleum-based materials are uncertain and the current market price for the material is affecting bids.

“We can remove one or two if desired,” he said. The idea was for the city to get the “best bank for the buck” when bidding more.

Scott, the administration, Mayor Derek Slaughter and council all seem pleased they can add more safety for the pedestrians through this grant and project in concert with the college.

Of particular note, the crosswalk at Washington Boulevard and Elizabeth Street is expected to provide a safer passage, traffic calming and a less stressful and easier walk to and from the parking lot at the college and the new baseball and softball facilities in Brandon Park.

It had become a dangerous stretch for students and anyone trying to get across, including getting those vehicles to slow down, Miele noted in the Committee of the Whole discussion on the agenda item.

Jamie Livermore, city finance director, noted the 15 % match will be taken from the general fund assigned to Streets and Parks and the college is paying for their six crosswalks, according to her and Scott.

This work is for construction costs as the designs have been done, Scott said.

Council President Eric Beiter asked if there were any plans to pave Washington Boulevard, which Scott noted as a PennDOT street. That is tentatively scheduled for the fall, along with the state portion of Grampian Boulevard, he said.

It might be wise to delay and ensure coordination with the state, Miele noted. “Be great if they covered it.”

Scott said he would check on that. It will be a signalized flashing beacon crosswalk.

It is a much-needed project with pedestrians walking to the ballfields.

“Thank’s for working with Lycoming to make that become a reality,” Miele said to Scott.