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Making sure streets are safe and transit is more pleasant and efficient in the City of Williamsport.
That appears to be among the main objectives of the newly formed Safe Streets Task Force.
"As part of the City of Williamsport's development of a citywide road safety action plan, we have assembled a Safe Streets Task Force to guide the final plan," said Scott Williams, city planner and assistant director of the city Department of Community and Economic Development.
The Safe Streets Task Force membership includes Mayor Derek Slaughter, Councilman David Dussinger, Councilwoman Liz Miele, Police Chief Justin Ottaviano, Fire Chief Tracey Harer, representatives of the Public Works and Community & Economic Development Departments as well as members from the state Department of Transportation, STEP Inc., River Valley Transit Authority, Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Williamsport Alliance, Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition, Williamsport Area Transportation Study MPO, The First Community Foundation Partnership, and the Williamsport Area School District.
The task force will meet several times during plan development to help guide the process. It is anticipated that the task force will continue to meet annually after plan completion to evaluate progress on plan implementation and to help re-prioritize efforts if necessary.
Funding achieved
The Road Safety Action Plan is being funded through a $356,458 United States Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant awarded to the city.
"We have contracted with Kittelson Associates to facilitate the planning process and prepare the final plan," Williams said.
"Our focus is on delivering a plan with many small implementable projects that we can start working on throughout the city," he said.
"We want to have a rapid and appreciable impact throughout the city with projects and initiatives that have an immediate impact on improving road safety."
Along with the Safe Streets Task Force, the city and Kittelson Associates will be looking for public involvement in the process because "we want to hear from as many residents and visitors to the city as possible about the biggest safety challenges they see every day on our streets," Williams said.
"Community input is critical for refining our understanding of existing conditions and developing the right recommendations."
Slaughter had the following to say about this planning effort:
“Receiving this Safe Streets and Roads for All grant is a significant investment in our community’s future. Developing a comprehensive Safety Action Plan will help us identify improvements that make our streets safer for everyone – whether they walk, bike, drive, or use public transit – and position our city to pursue additional funding for projects that save lives. We look forward to working with Kittelson and our community stakeholders as we begin this important planning process to create a safer, more connected city for everyone.”
Residents and visitors to the see may notice many road improvements such as crosswalk additions, intersection upgrades, paved surfaces, curb cuts for accessibility. Efforts are underway to link Basin Street to the Susquehanna River Walk, adding another safer access point to the popular pedestrian/bicyclists pathway along the river and levee, connecting the city to Old Lycoming Township, Loyalsock Township and South Williamsport.
Also, before the task force has begun to be assembled and meet a contractor completed a major resurfacing of West Fourth Street between Mulberry and Elmira streets in the central business district done in time before the annual Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade and Little League World Series brings thousands of visitors to Lycoming County.