LANCASTER (WBEN) - Numerous local officials gathered on West Main Street in Lancaster Thursday morning in a ground-breaking ceremony for the long anticipated extension project.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul joining numerous local officials to announce the groundbreaking of the West Main project in Lancaster, which will extend the roadway to Aurora St. and convert it from a one-way to a two-way street. @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/NBc2TebJif
— Brendan Keany (@BrendanKeany) June 25, 2020
The project's goal is to extend West Main Street to Aurora Street and convert it from a one-way to a two-way.
- Construct a "complete street" design to accommodate vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and parking
- Make improvements to Main Street/Center Avenue intersection
- Add a roundabout new intersection at West Main Street/Aurora Street
- Include landscape amenities
- Upgrade and relocate utilities
The initial price tag for the reconstruction project was about $3 million, but Lancaster applied for and received $2.5 million in a Downtown Redevelopment Initiative Grant.
"I have walked these streets countless times - whether it's the Taste of Lancaster, whether it's the festivals, many parades I've marched in here - and there is such a spirit of community that always was part of the identity of Lancaster," said Hochul. "But then I'd walk through and think, 'You know what? Maybe there's some parts that could use a little TLC, a little bit of assistance from elsewhere to help them really shine.'
"In just over a year from now, perhaps even less time, we'll be back here for a magnificent ribbon cutting to welcome the new era of downtown Lancaster," she continued. "To have the new West Main Street initiative connectivity with the riverfront and all the great projects that are going to stimulate more growth and development right here in downtown - it's all coming ladies and gentlemen."
