Northumberland Borough, located where the north and west branches of the Susquehanna River merge, serves as a connecting point to several high-volume state routes and interstates in central Pennsylvania. Over time, increasing commercial vehicle traffic created a safety concern. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation addressed that safety issue via its $13.7 million Northumberland reconstruction project. PennDOT updated the 100-year-old pavement and utilities on several streets to better accommodate higher traffic volume by widening intersections, lengthening turn lanes, upgrading traffic signals, and improving a railroad underpass. At the completion of the reconstruction, residents initially opposed to the project agreed that the reconstruction project improved traffic flow, created easier access to local businesses, while improving pedestrian safety with new sidewalks, American’s with Disability Act-compliant ramps, and new crosswalks with updated signals. Congestion and safety were improved at the intersection of Routes 11 and 147 through a wider intersection, safer pedestrian crossing and extended turn lanes.
America's Transportation Awards 