[HARRISBURG] — A major vehicle connector in the City of Harrisburg will soon see vehicle and pedestrian safety improvements. The Capitol Gateway project construction is to start along Forster Street on Thursday, September 5.
The Capitol Gateway project construction will see work done on two heavily used intersections of Front and Forster Streets and Second and Forster Streets. This will be accomplished by installing traffic calming features, such as curb bump outs, and by enlarging the median, which will give pedestrians a place to safely stand if they are unable to cross the street in the designated time.
Traffic signal upgrades at Front and Second Streets will also increase safety. A video explaining the concept design and providing an overview of the safety features is available here:
Capitol Gateway project construction will continue through the end of October on curb and sidewalk improvements. Contracted construction company JVI Group, Inc. will break for the winter, per PennDOT construction season guidelines and weather concerns, then return in the spring to finish any parts of curb and sidewalk work, and complete street milling and paving, and pavement markings.
Forster Street will remain open to through-traffic during construction, and will be pinched down a lane in each direction. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured during this time.
The Capitol Gateway Project construction is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the city within 10 years. Vision Zero strategies are in use around the country and around the world. In Harrisburg, Vision Zero is a city-wide program that focuses on safety for all road users: those who walk, ride bicycles, ride the bus, and drive in cars.
