The Landscape Architecture Group of Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers, Inc. (N&W) worked with the City of Johnstown on a Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) project involving the realignment of John’s Street with PA Route 56 to better introduce the downtown Central Business District and solve traffic concerns within that area of Route 56. The project focuses on an existing city gateway area that did not serve the city well in introducing the downtown to the high volumes of traffic that utilizes the by-pass everyday. This transportation improvement project is an initial project to come out of the city master plan which the N&W Landscape Architecture Group also completed.
Johnstown’s goal was to revitalize and recreate the Central Business District and Kernville neighborhoods as a desirable location for residential, business, and educational opportunities. The city is moving forward with an aggressive plan dubbed the “Act 47 Exit Strategy.” The focus is to maximize PCTI funding to complete detailed planning and construction of a bold urban gateway and reconnection of Main Street to the Route 56 By-Pass in order to continue revitalization efforts for future generations.
This PCTI funded project focuses on a community development strategy for developing new connectivity, creating new direct transportation connections with Main Street, creating a pedestrian connection to a new Stonycreek River a
ccess ramp, establishing community identity through gateways, streetscapes and amenities, and updating the city’s transportation infrastructure to include more choices for trails and interpretive signage.
N&W representatives led the city through a comprehensive outreach and analysis process to best determine the types and locations of desired road alignments, pedestrian and trail connections. Based upon City and community input the project moved into final design for construction in 2012. The project area totals approximately 4+/- acres and total improvement costs are estimated to be at approximately $1,700,000.