POSITION STATEMENT ON TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
Safe, efficient, and affordable transportation systems are important to Harris Township residents. Whether this includes sidewalks or bike paths that connect neighborhoods and parks, or whether it includes complex and costly highway systems, all residents depend - to a degree - on transportation. The questions then turn to such factors as interconnectivity, location and frequency of use of public transportation such as CATA, replacement of unsafe bridges, as well as major safety improvements to U.S. Route 322 in Harris Township and Potter Township.
At the township level, adoption of the Harris Township Official Map allows for connecting our neighborhoods, as appropriate. New developments in Harris Township are installing sidewalks so that residents can meet neighbors, walk for exercise, and reach commercial locations. There are 15 proposed bike/pedestrian paths under discussion for Harris Township, and these would allow our residents to move freely among our 19 neighborhoods.
Our public transportation system, CATA, offers many opportunities for transportation, yet relatively few residents avail themselves of this service. Harris Township supports CATA for route subsidy and capital improvements.
With respect to safety improvements, Harris Township endorsed 14 safety projects for U.S. 322. Several of these projects have already been completed, but others will require extensive planning and expense. Although the majority of the U.S. 322 projects are located in Potter Township, safety improvements benefit all residents, especially our volunteer emergency responders who are called to assist at vehicle accidents.
One reason for heavy traffic on U.S. 322 is that the Centre Region is heavily dependent on truck freight movement to provide most of our consumer goods. There is no freight depot available to allow goods to be shipped via rail and distributed by delivery companies. Being located on a major route to Interstate 80, heavy truck traffic continues to cause traffic problems for the Centre Region. In 2019, Harris Township voted to discourage a connector road to come through the Centre Region and connect with I-80. We are actively involved in a State College Area Connector Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study. The Township response to the "Draft Purpose and Needs Analysis" can be found here.
At the township level, adoption of the Harris Township Official Map allows for connecting our neighborhoods, as appropriate. New developments in Harris Township are installing sidewalks so that residents can meet neighbors, walk for exercise, and reach commercial locations. There are 15 proposed bike/pedestrian paths under discussion for Harris Township, and these would allow our residents to move freely among our 19 neighborhoods.
Our public transportation system, CATA, offers many opportunities for transportation, yet relatively few residents avail themselves of this service. Harris Township supports CATA for route subsidy and capital improvements.
With respect to safety improvements, Harris Township endorsed 14 safety projects for U.S. 322. Several of these projects have already been completed, but others will require extensive planning and expense. Although the majority of the U.S. 322 projects are located in Potter Township, safety improvements benefit all residents, especially our volunteer emergency responders who are called to assist at vehicle accidents.
One reason for heavy traffic on U.S. 322 is that the Centre Region is heavily dependent on truck freight movement to provide most of our consumer goods. There is no freight depot available to allow goods to be shipped via rail and distributed by delivery companies. Being located on a major route to Interstate 80, heavy truck traffic continues to cause traffic problems for the Centre Region. In 2019, Harris Township voted to discourage a connector road to come through the Centre Region and connect with I-80. We are actively involved in a State College Area Connector Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study. The Township response to the "Draft Purpose and Needs Analysis" can be found here.
