Overview
The township engaged consultant McCormick-Taylor in 2023 to develop a concept plan for a multi-modal streetscape project aimed at improving vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian safety along and near West Market Street (SR0045). The study was prompted by a PennDOT Connects meeting on June 1, 2023, where the township was informed that PennDOT was planning to repave this section of SR0045 in 2027. The township decided to take advantage of this opportunity to try to address long-standing issues with vehicle speeds, noise, and pedestrian/cyclist safety along the West Market Street corridor.
The consultant conducted three (3) public workshops in September and November of 2023, along with a meeting in January of 2024, to gather input and feedback from residents and property owners. These public engagement sessions established the foundation for the consultant to develop the concept plan. The township held a follow-up meeting with PennDOT to discuss the plans and assess their support, which was positive overall. The consultant completed the final report in April 2024. The project was broken into four sequential phases to allow more manageable funding requests.
Grants
The township began pursuing funding in March 2024. The township submitted a federal Congressionally Directed Spending request (aka “earmark”) for $1.8 million for Phase 1 through Representative GT Thompson’s office along with Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey. The request was approved through committee and included the draft appropriations bill in the fall of 2024. Funding will depend on passage of a final appropriations bill in 2025.
On November 5, 2024, the township submitted a grant application to the PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) for $1.7 million to design and construct Phase 2. The township will match over 40% of the grant amount ($700,000) from township capital reserves. PennDOT typically announces grant wards in August.
On November 22, 2024, the township submitted a Local Share Account application to DCED for $200,000 to help offset the township’s match commitment for Phase 2. DCED typically announces LSA grant awards in December of the following year.
East Buffalo Township currently has been awarded three separate grants to go towards funding a safety action plan for West Market Street. Grants that were awarded included the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) for $250,000 (township will match $50,000); the Congressionally Directed Spending (aka “earmark”) for $1,800,000 for Phase 1; and the Local Share Account DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) for $410,000 for Phase 2.
Other Information
East Buffalo Township held a Community Open House on March 23, 2026. We are looking for community input to the Township’s Safety Action Plan to improve multi-modal transportation safety (cars, bikes, buses, wheelchairs, walking) throughout the Township. Please take a few minutes to let us know how and where in the Township we can improve transportation safety. Click the link below and open up the four activities from the Community Open House as well as the community survey. We look forward to hearing from you!
https://linktr.ee/eastbuffalotwp
Online Survey Link
- East Buffalo Township Comprehensive Safety Action Plan ONLINE Survey
- You can take and submit the survey fully online from this link!
Printable Survey
- East Buffalo Township Comprehensive Safety Action Plan PRINTABLE Survey
- You can print out this paper form of the survey and then turn it in at the East Buffalo Township Office, The Miller Center, or The Public Library of Union County.
Shareable Flyer
- East Buffalo Township Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Flyer
- If you wish to spread information about the survey to other members in the community, you can save or print this document to share.