LANCASTER, Pa. — This week marks the start of a four-month-long project on Plum Street in Lancaster.
It's happening at the intersection with E. New Street and Park Avenue.
“This project started a long time ago," explained Cindy McCormick, deputy director for the Public Right-of-Way Division within the City of Lancaster's Department of Public Works. "It was in 2018 that we started getting complaints from neighbors about concerns with safety.”
A temporary roundabout was installed back in 2019.
Now, the city is making the configuration permanent.
“It’s definitely improved the safety of the location," said McCormick. "Traffic is slowing as they enter the intersection.”
The below renderings show what the area will look like when work is complete.
New sidewalks, ADA ramps, and speed bumps are just some of the improvements being made.
“There will be landscaping added as well," said McCormick. "We’re removing some of the pavement, the intersection was very wide so [we're] adding some seating areas and amenities for the area as well.”
The project is one of many that are a part of Lancaster’s “Vision Zero” initiative.
“The vision is to have zero severe crashes or fatal crashes," McCormick said. "It’s not accepting crashes as a way people are dying in the United States and in the city.”
Since the roundabout was installed, McCormick says there has been a reduction in fatal and serious crashes through this section of Plum Street.
"It's all about improving safety for people walking or biking or traveling through that intersection," said McCormick.
Construction is expected to be done by the end of the year.