State funds Honesdale's 12th Street safety project

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·4 min read

Pedestrian safety on 12th Street, Honesdale and access to a new riverside took a step forward recently with approval of $311,207 in state funding.

The Commonwealth Finance Authority awarded the statewide local share account grant, which will be used for improving walkers' safety and river trail connectivity on 12th Street, between Church and Main Streets.

This is one of the goals of the ongoing downtown Honesdale revitalization project spearheaded by Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP).

“This is great news for Honesdale,” Sandi Levens, Executive Director of GHP said in a release. "We are happy to announce that our hard work paid off. The Greater Honesdale Partnership and the members of the Honesdale Borough Council worked together to create this grant request for the benefit of the community."

A sidewalk and bicycle lane are planned on 12th Street between Church and Main Streets, connecting the Lackawaxen River Trail to Main Street. Presently, there are no sidewalks or bike lanes along the river side.

The GHP states that parallel parking next to the river's edge makes it dangerous to exit a vehicle; 12th Street also is a traffic-thruway that is dangerous for walkers.

They also plan to restore one-way traffic to 12th Street with the eye to improve pedestrian safety, although which direction it would go hasn't been determined, Levens said. The engineer and designers for the 12th Street project will be asked to work with Woodland Design, the firm GHP selected for the downtown revitalization work.

Approval will be needed by borough officials as well as PennDOT, to ensure safety for whichever traffic direction is taken― 12th Street belongs to the borough but connects two state roadways, Church and Main Streets.Parking would be repositioned on 12th as well.

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The whole purpose is to improve safety for walkers, calm traffic, and connect the river trail to Main Street's commercial downtown.

In addition, the GHP notes there will be site furnishings such as wayfinding signage, three lamp posts, four benches, two trash receptacles, changing traffic pattern to a one-way, adding ADA accessibility, four crosswalks, relining the street and parking area, split rail fence, block wall, and landscaping such as native bushes and bed coverings.

Levens told borough council at their meeting March 22, that as soon as they get the contract from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, GHP can seek proposals and put it out to bid.

Councilman James Hamill stated that the awarding of these state grants shows there is "a lot of reason to invest in Honesdale" and credited the collaboration of GHP and the borough, and the hard work and dedication of persons working towards a common goal.

Mayor Derek Williams noted that in the last year and a half, nearly a half million dollars has been invested in Honesdale through GHP's efforts.

Twelfth Street, Honesdale, Pa., looking towards Church Street from the corner with Main Street, March 22. Irving Cliff may be seen overlooking the Lackawaxen River.
Twelfth Street, Honesdale, Pa., looking towards Church Street from the corner with Main Street, March 22. Irving Cliff may be seen overlooking the Lackawaxen River.

Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna/Monroe/Wayne) announced the funding on March 16.

“Many have shared an enthusiasm for bettering the downtown area, and I was happy to be a strong advocate for the grant," Fritz said, "which will help improve the quality of life for local residents, woo visitors and continue the objective of making wise investments in our communities."

“These grants are an indispensable component of economic growth for this area,” Brown said. “We must continue to invest in all the items that help our economy thrive… to ensure a high quality of life.”

From December:Wayne County awards bid for Industrial Point cleanup

The riverside trail will lead through Industrial Point at the end of 12th Street where the Lackawaxen River bends in the shadow of Irving Cliff. An improved PA Fish & Boat Commission access is planned in this section.

A former factory building that had deteriorated and was owned by the county, was demolished in mid-February alongside the river at Industrial Point.

A park-like environment and improved parking is planned in the area.

For more information about the current downtown revitalization project, contact executive Levens at the Greater Honesdale Partnership on ghp@visithonesdalepa.com.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale's 12th Street safety project takes another step forward