1. Using Traffic safety and transportation funding to reduce accidents and runoff
2014 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
The project at N. Plum and E. Walnut Street highlights all the social, economic and environmental benefits , often referred to as the triple bottom line, of green infrastructure all rolled into one intersection improvement. The state’s environmental council agreed honoring the City with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The City received an Automated Red Light Enforcement grant from PENNDOT to make safety improvements to this dangerous intersection due to the merge lane that often resulted in vehicle accidents. We matched the safety grant with Federal and state environmental grant funds and a small portion of local funds to complete the project. Benefits of this project include:
Traffic calming by use of rain garden/curb extensions resulting in a5 MPH reduction in vehicle speed documented through the intersection;
Standard intersection configuration achieved by eliminating merge lane;
Merge lane allowed prime real estate to be given back to adjacent property owner, Lancaster Brewing Company (LBC), in the form of an outdoor patio space and in return LBC will take over future maintenance;
Economic benefit to local restaurant in outdoor space that they would not have otherwise had;
1.4 million gallons per year of stormwater capture;
Safer parking for residents with a porous back in angle parking; and
Much improved aesthetics for this important gateway into downtown Lancaster.
5 MPH reduction in average traffic speed
LancSWU Stakeholder Presentation

2. Dangerous Intersection Conditions Adjacent to National Register Historic Building and gateway into the City’s downtown

3. Lancaster Brewing Public Private Partnership
1.7 Million Gallons / year reduction in runoff volume
< $0.20 / gal
Various photos of completed project including the picture of the urban garden the restaurant has planted to grow produce used in their restaurant.
Rendering by

4. LancSWU Stakeholder Presentation
A public art piece to provide public education and visual appeal. This cistern collects stormwater from the roof of the Lancaster Brewing Company and has multiple uses- can be used to water the urban gardens through a spigot and drips water from a pipe overhead onto a drum-like wheel in the rain garden.
LancSWU Stakeholder Presentation

5. LBC Educational Placemat
The City developed an educational placemat that the restaurant uses and provides public education to the families that come their to eat.
LancSWU Stakeholder Presentation