Harrisburg city council votes for impact study for I-83 expansion project

Harrisburg City Council voting yes on getting an additional study on PennDOT's I-83 expansion project.

They want to see if the project could be done at a smaller scale.

Study is going to cost 72 thousand dollars. Mayor Eric Papenfuse saw homes and business are at stake so it's worth it.

Traffic a constant whistle on Wayne Street. I-83 just a couple hundred feet from homes.

"It could be safe, I'm hoping it's safe, but if it's not i'll just have to relocate."

Kevin Marroquin is not really sure what's going to happen.

PennDOT plans to expand I-83, adding lanes and through lanes. His property is right by the interstate.

"Since that letter has come we haven't received any other notice so we're not really too informed about what's going on," he explained.

Harrisburg City Council voted yes last night to an impact study to analyze traffic and perform community outreach.

"We definitely think the footprint could be contracted a little bit and still address the concerns of congestion. but at the same time even if we can't necessarily reduce the footprint we might be able to save properties and houses if we adjust the footprint," explained Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

He also added they owe it to the people that have lived in these neighborhoods.

"Rather than wait until the last minute when that construction is actually happening we want to have more of a conversation now so that the project will be successful."

PennDOT said, "We will continue to work with the city as we complete preliminary engineering and during the final design phase with the goal of not only meeting the project needs but to also address the needs of Harrisburg and the surrounding communities.”

Marroquin says one business has already left the neighborhood, the other still up in the air.

Despie all this, he believes the project needs to happen, he drives 83 everyday.

"The south bridge is where all the traffic starts and it's terrible. The traffic is horrible, you're constantly fighting with someone to get over."

PennDOT sent a letter to the city on Monday about the project, saying they look forward to reviewing the results of the student that they support the city's desire to analyze traffic data.