LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County is moving forward with an alternative transportation plan which would make way for a transportation project that allows residents more opportunity to safely walk and bicycle.

Mifflin County Planning Commission Director James Lettiere reviewed the status of the pilot project which identified Electric Avenue, South Logan Boulevard and Highland Park as areas that would be connected through the project.

“Positioning it as a model multimodal corridor will improve safety, accessibility, and economic opportunity in Derry Township and Mifflin County.”

The Plan prioritizes the installation of continuous five-foot sidewalks throughout the corridor, creating a consistent pedestrian network that connects neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and the regional hospital. Where physical constraints make sidewalks challenging, innovative alternatives are recommended to ensure that pedestrian mobility and safety remain uncompromised.

“The County Commissioners authorized our consultant to prepare a grant to PennDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Program, consisting of the creation of a six-foot wide bike lanes and fivefoot wide sidewalks along western and eastern portions of Electric Avenue, from Ort Valley Road to the entrance of Kish Park,” said Lettiere.

The project is in its early stages with the preliminary application due Sept. 5 and the completed application is due Oct. 31.

The County is applying for a $1.45 million grant for Phase 1 of the project through PennDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

Phase 1 will encompass the eastern portion of Electric Avenue to Logan Boulevard, while Phase 2 will encompass the western portion of the corridor.

The cost of both phases is estimated to be about $2.6 million.

Lettiere suspects awards will be made in February/March of 2026 with an anticipated construction date in 2027-28.

The plan would also consist of Americans with Disabilities Act ramps and crosswalks at several intersections along the corridor and possibly wayfinding.

“The Electric Avenue/Highland Park corridor emerged as a priority pilot project within the plan because of its critical role as a connector for schools, the Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital campus, and surrounding residential neighborhoods,” said Lettiere.

“The corridor currently experiences significant pedestrian and vehicular conflicts, particularly for students walking to nearby schools. Improvements such as continuous sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks, traffic calming measures and dedicated bike facilities are consistent with Mifflin Moves! recommendations and represent a tangible first step in creating the safe, accessible, and connected active transportation network envisioned by the plan.”

The Mifflin Moves: Electric Avenue/Highland Park Safe Routes to School Project would add .65 mile of new sidewalk and on-road bike paths, expanding the active transportation network in Mifflin County.

To further enhance safety, the Plan identifies critical upgrades at pedestrian crossings at 3rd, 4th, and 6th Streets. These improvements, including refuge islands where feasible, would reduce exposure to traffic and increase visibility for those crossing the corridor. This is particularly urgent given the corridor’s proximity to Mifflin County Middle School with enrollment of 717 and Mifflin County High School with an enrollment of 1,044, meaning more than 1,700 students regularly travel through or near this area on foot, by bicycle, or in vehicles.

Cyclists would also benefit from a more connected and protected network through the addition of six inch widestriped bike lanes or shared-lane markings (sharrows) in areas where dedicated infrastructure is not possible, ensuring continuity for non-motorized travel.