Smith-Wade-El, Rivera announce $1.2 million in state funds for bicycle and pedestrian improvements
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus February 10, 2026 | 3:48 PM
LANCASTER, Feb. 10 –State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced that their districts will receive over $1.2 million in state funding to make critical bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements in the City of Lancaster and in Manheim Township.
The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) program. Established in 2010, ARLE funds improvements at signalized intersections and is primarily supported by fines from red-light violations at 38 intersections currently operational in the commonwealth. The program is designed to reduce congestion, enhance mobility, and improve safety at high-traffic intersections.
In Smith-Wade-El’s district, the City of Lancaster will receive $974,544 to improve bicycle safety by installing a bi-directional/two-way separated bike lane on the south and east side on the roadway from South Queen Street to East King Street.
“I am very excited to see the City of Lancaster receive this significant investment in bicycle safety,” said Smith-Wade-El. “As someone who learned ride a bike at the old age of 29, I love the freedom and the whole new way of seeing the city that I experience when I’m riding a bike. This investment in our city will make Lancaster a healthier place to live thanks to more people engaging in this heart-healthy activity instead of driving a car, which increases air pollution and traffic congestion.”
In Rivera’s district, Manheim Township will receive $247,875 to increase pedestrian safety by establishing a designated, high visibility pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Candlewyck Road and Overlook Community Park.
According to Rivera, this crossing will connect walkable neighborhoods with Overlook Park, which includes extensive walking trails connecting to the library, pool, sports fields, playground, bocci and pickleball courts, Overlook Park Pool, and frisbee and golf courses.
Rivera stressed that this intersection is the only location that connects the large walkable neighborhood on the left to the miles of walking trails on the right.
“On a map this area looks like a gift to pedestrians and cyclists—a gorgeous park with extensive recreational facilities to the right, an extensive network of residential streets to the left, and a shopping center just a few blocks south,” Rivera said. “Unfortunately, the cars can reach 45 miles per hour on Fruitville Pike due to the lack of traffic lights or pedestrian crossings, making the intersection dangerous for anyone trying to cross it.
“Thanks to this state investment in our community, the planned pedestrian crossing will make it much safer for school kids, cyclists, and pedestrians to make use of the park’s many attractions and to shop. This investment will create new opportunities for young and old alike to take advantage of the park and all that it offers.”
The representatives jointly commended PennDOT and the Shapiro administration for their commitment to improving infrastructure and keeping their communities connected.
“We will continue to work with our colleagues and PennDOT to secure funding for important projects like these that prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said.
The City of Lancaster and Manheim Township projects were among 51 projects selected for funding this year out of 113 applications by an eight-member committee based on such criteria as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact.
For more information about the ARLE program, visit the PennDOT website.