In a thrilling development for our community, Carlisle has been awarded a $675,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority Multimodal Transportation Fund. This funding will play a crucial role in the Noble Boulevard project, aimed at enhancing safety, reducing flooding, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.
Project Scope and Location
The Noble Boulevard project focuses on the segment from the intersection with South Hanover Street to West Ridge Street, including the area in front of Walmart. This heavily trafficked corridor is not only a vital route for drivers and pedestrians but also a hotspot for stormwater runoff issues.
Enhancing Safety and Reducing Flooding
The project will reduce travel lanes from four to three, and eventually to two near the residential neighborhood. This reduction will create space for a 10-foot shared-use path, enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, including older residents at Chapel Pointe and young students walking or biking to school. Additionally, the project will introduce green spaces, which are expected to reduce stormwater runoff by an estimated 40% from Noble Boulevard to Walnut Bottom Road, a flood-prone area.
Project Progress and Next Steps
The project has moved beyond the basic conceptual design phase, and the next steps include:
Preparing bid proposal specifications for consultant services to develop preliminary design plans.
Sharing these plans with the public and incorporating their feedback.
Developing final design plans.
Going out for bid.
Constructing the project.
Timeline and Funding
The borough has been working on the conceptual design and funding options since 2023. The project was included in the Capital Budget with $315,000 allocated for 2025 and $1,513,000 for subsequent years. With the crucial grant funding secured, the final design and bid specification development are expected to occur this spring, with bidding likely before summer. Construction is anticipated to be completed late this year or early next year, depending on contractors' schedules.
Importance of the Project
The Noble Boulevard and South Hanover Street area has faced severe vehicular and pedestrian safety issues. In 2020, a 23-year-old U.S. Air Force flight paramedic tragically lost their life in a crash in this area. Additionally, pedestrian-vehicle collisions rose by 127% in the three years leading up to the grant submission, with 25 incidents in 2023 alone. This project aims to address these safety concerns, reduce flooding, and protect vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. The benefits of this project are immense, making it a critical investment for the borough's future.
Mayor Shultz emphasized the urgency of the project, stating, "With accidents escalating, it's only a matter of time before another life is lost. We must act now. We cannot sit idly by and wait for another tragedy to occur."
A Collaborative Effort
Mayor Shultz expressed gratitude to Representative Gleim, Senator Rothman, and Governor Shapiro for their support and advocacy. This project is a testament to the power of bipartisan collaboration and the positive impact it can have on our community.
We look forward to a safer, greener, and more connected community upon the completion of the Noble Boulevard project, . Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting project progresses!
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