Harrison begins 1st phase of pedestrian safety upgrades near high-rise

Walkers and bikers who use Broadview Boulevard in Harrison soon will have a safer pathway in the area near the Harrison Hi-Rise.

Crews have begun installation of upgraded sidewalks near the apartment building, just past the Heights Plaza shopping center.

The cost of the work will be paid by a $79,500 state grant.

The township earlier this year was awarded the money through the Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund, administered through the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments.

Commissioner Chuck Dizard said the work is intended to improve safety.

Manager Amy Rockwell said the sidewalks will be an upgrade to the stretch, making walking and biking easier.

People currently have to go over stones or through the parking lot.

The project also includes new street markings and ramps compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

More to come

Work in that area is a peek of what’s to come.

Commissioners are eyeing a $2 million project to redo a five-way intersection at Freeport and Springhill roads. Plenty of people cross at the busy intersection between McDonald’s, the war memorial and the plaza but without the advantage of lighted walk signs or designated crosswalks.

The township already has been awarded $400,000 toward the work through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. Other grant applications are under consideration.

Work will include an upgrade to traffic signals at both roads, in addition to Broadview Boulevard, which runs parallel to Freeport Road in front of the shopping plaza. Light poles also will be replaced.

The project won’t change the configuration of the intersection, but it will update the timing of the traffic signals and the pattern of the crosswalks to improve safety.