HARRISBURG, Pa. — Residents who live along Harrisburg’s 2nd Street have noticed a big difference over the last year.
“I don't live on a street where I feel like my life is threatened every time I go to my car," said Suzanne Jordan.
Last October, the city opened the one-way road to two-way traffic.
“When you’re talking three lanes going down, the speed limit was 25 but people were going 50, 60 miles per hour," said Matt Maisel, director of communications for the city of Harrisburg. "It turned into a speedway.”
A year later, neighbors say the difference is palpable.
“I don’t see [cars] flying down everywhere," said Robin Winn. "Traffic has been real peaceful.”
Several roundabouts were also installed, which residents believe have also helped to slow down drivers.
“You have to be more conscious when you’re driving, you have to pay attention," said Jordan. "But it’s for safety. So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s good.”
In the last year, the number of crashes on 2nd Street has gone up.
According to city data, there were 61 accidents from October 2020 to October 2021, 56 from October 2021 to October 2022, and 82 from October 2022 to October 2023.
Maisel says that’s to be expected, and there have been less severe crashes.
“If you’re bringing roundabouts into an area, into a city where people aren’t used to them, it’s going to take time," said Maisel.
While the number of crashes has increased, Maisel says the 2nd Street corridor has also seen a decrease in crime over the last year.
From October 2021 to October 2022, there were 114 crime incidents. From October 2022 to October of 2023, that number dropped to 85.
“When you make an area in which you are living nicer, people want to take care of it more," said Maisel. "They want to take more ownership of it. And that’s what we see here on 2nd Street.”
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