Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Improvement Project
Creating a Stronger Connection between Downtown Erie and the Waterfront
August 2022
Bayfront Parkway Project Updates Focus of Open House Events
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its design partner, ms consultants, inc. will provide updates on the Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Improvement Project during two open house events this month.
“There has been a lot of interest in this project, especially the pedestrian bridge at Holland Street, roundabouts and other aesthetic aspects. Because we are quickly approaching construction of this important project, we want to give the public another update on the plans,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty, P.E.
“In order to reach as many people as possible with the information and learning from the successes of our 2021 public meetings, we are once again using a hybrid method during our final design outreach effort,” he said.
A face-to-face open house will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at the Erie Port Authority Building, 1 Holland Street, Erie. Attendees will be welcome to peruse a series of boards throughout the large conference room, ask questions of the design team members on hand, and/or complete a short comment form.
The same information will be presented during a virtual tour of the open house boards from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Wednesday, August 24, 2022 on Microsoft Teams Live.
No RSVP is needed for either event. A link to the virtual option is available at www.BayfrontParkwayProject.com, at www.penndot.gov/District1, and within the project Bayfront Parkway Project Facebook group. Attendees can simply click on the link shortly before or during the event and be redirected to the virtual experience.
Following the virtual meeting, a recording of the session will be available for viewing until the presentation is downloaded on to the Bayfront Parkway project website.
Copies of the boards will also be placed on the website for the public to view during or after the meeting.
The website will also house a virtual version of the comment form, which is open to members of the public whether they attend the open house, the virtual event, or view the boards and information on the website.
The boards will offer updates on the overall project plans, including the pedestrian bridge at Holland Street, the proposed construction timeline and phases, and environmental aspects and studies.
“We hope people will take the time to visit the open house, log into the virtual tour or visit the website to get informed and updated on the project,” McNulty said.
Important Project Dates
- Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Open Houses: August 24, 2022
- 12th Street Traffic Signal Upgrades: Major physical work ending November 2022
- Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Project Phase 1: Anticipated start of major construction in spring 2023
- East Bayfront Supplemental Project: 2023 Let with construction in 2024
The Purpose of the project is to improve the pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger vehicle connection of the Erie Central Business District and adjacent neighborhoods to the waterfront property north of the Bayfront Parkway, reduce crashes as much as practical on the Bayfront Parkway, improve future congestion to an acceptable level of service or delay, and improve traffic operations and efficiency.
Bridge Open at DMVA Home, Cemetery
The new bridge near the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home (PSSH) on East Third Street in the City of Erie opened to traffic in May 17, 2022.
The bridge carries motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists over the CSX railroad tracks that run between the home and the nearby Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Cemetery and the Major General Anthony Wayne Blockhouse.
The $2.7 million project is an ancillary project to the Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Improvement Project.
“The opening of this bridge is an important step for PennDOT, the City of Erie, and our other partners as we work together to bring the Bayfront Parkway updates to fruition,” said Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation Jennie Louwerse. “It also stands as an example of the continued work we are doing to create safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the city.”
Construction of the 123-foot bridge allows for the removal of a portion of railroad tracks that run parallel to the parkway to make way for the creation of the grade-separated intersection at State Street and a roundabout at Holland Street. It also provides space for CSX to increase the number of tracks in the area to accommodate future railway car storage and eliminates the need for the at-grade crossing that had been in place.
“When PennDOT takes on large projects, like the Bayfront Parkway, we adopt a holistic approach that involves numerous planning partners and looking beyond the corridor, but also its impact on the nearby streets and overall transportation needs,” said Brian McNulty, P.E., District Executive for PennDOT’s northwest region. “This bridge is an example of that work in action – improving the crossing at this location while also providing the ability to make upgrades to safety and efficiency at State Street.”
The contractor is Chivers Constriction Company of Fairview, PA. The design consultant is ms consultants of Pittsburgh, PA.
“Thanks to this bridge, loved ones and members of the community have safe and easy passage to the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Cemetery,” said Cheri Spacht, PSSH commandant. “The cemetery is the final resting place to veterans who served our nation dating back to the Civil War and is visited often by those who want to pay respect to the defenders of our freedom. The bridge also connects to the historic Major General Anthony Wayne Blockhouse, which receives numerous visitors each year. We are grateful for the partnership with PennDOT and their willingness to include access to these areas in their overall improvement project plans.”
12th Street Project
Major construction work on the project to retime and upgrade the traffic signals at 22 intersections along 12th Street (Route 5) from the northbound off ramp of Interstate 79/Lincoln Street to Wayne Street is nearing an end.
Work started in April and major construction is expected to be completed in November.
The project includes updates to the signals for vehicles and pedestrians including flashing yellow lights, new signs, ADA curb ramps, and improved signal coordination. It also includes new electronic message boards on Interstate 79 and Interstate 90.
The contractor is Power Contracting Company of Carnegie, PA.
Tell us what you like about the project or about concerns you may have by going online to www.BayfrontParkwayProject.com or www.PennDOT.gov/District1 or contacting PennDOT Project Manager Tom McClelland, P.E., at 814-678-7081 or thmcclella@pa.gov.