Capital Area Transit (CAT), the Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) and the Modern Transit Partnership (MTP) have created a unique partnership to undertake a beautification project at the Market Square Transfer Center, which will include replacement and moving of bus shelters, addition of safety pavers, removal of trees and installation of planters, plantings and new lighting.
In an effort to ensure and increase passenger safety, CAT has received federal grant funds to: replace the existing bus shelters and move them back to allow the buses more turning and side-mirror room; install yellow pavers to better define passenger safety zones away from the bus lanes; remove the existing overgrown trees; and repair and renovate the concrete brick planter along Second Street. HYP is contributing $45,000 in funds to install new lighting bollards and concrete planters along the western bus lane, as well as new vegetation to help create a more pleasing visual at the site.
An invitation for bids was issued Aug. 8; bids will be opened Sept. 13 with the exception that — weather permitting — the work can begin and perhaps be completed prior to winter. The transfer center will remain open throughout the beautification project and the safety of CAT’s customers will continue to be the highest priority.
CAT is seeking additional grant funds to replant new trees and renovate or reconstruct the kiosk on the grounds. That work would become Phase II of the project once funding is received.
With their initial 30-year lease having lapsed earlier this year, CAT signed a new lease agreement with the city of Harrisburg in July. As a result, CAT which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, will continue to have a major presence on Market Square for at least the next 30 years.
CAT and HYP were brought together by the Modern Transit Partnership, a non-profit multimodal transportation advocacy group, who helped them to pool their individual resources to increase the impact of their respective projects. The MTP also served as a catalyst early in the project development by contributing funding for the construction design.
