Bridgeville will improve a pedestrian crossing along Bower Hill Road in an area where officials say there has been an increase in traffic accidents and more pedestrians usage.
The borough will install a pedestrian crossing on Bower Hill Road at Commercial Street, in front of the Dari Delite, later this year, said Manager Joe Kauer.
The crossing will include flashing pedestrian beacon warning signals, high-visibility crosswalk upgrades, fresh traffic markings, pedestrian crossing signs, and an ADA-compliant pedestrian curb ramp and sidewalk, Kauer said.
Kauer said the project was a priority based on the increase in vehicle crashes there and increased foot traffic to the businesses along Bower Hill Road.
“This project is a critical improvement that has been called for by our citizens,” Kauer said. “It is envisioned that once it is implemented, crashes will be reduced, pedestrian safety will be greatly enhanced and also act to support the local economy by increased foot traffic to the businesses along Bower Hill Road and Railroad Street, who will now feel safer frequenting this area.”
Nearly 13,000 cars travel the area daily, Kauer said.
The area is also unique in that there is a lower roadway from Railroad Street that reduces visibility for motorists turning off Railroad Street onto Bower Hill Road as they near the crosswalk, Kauer said. A railroad crossing separates the pedestrian crossing from the lower-grade Railroad Street.
From Jan. 2020 to July 1, 2025, there have been 15 non-reportable crashes at the area, Kauer said. In that same time frame, the borough police department responded to six reportable crashes that resulted in vehicles being damaged or people being hurt, Kauer said.
“Two of these crashes since 2023 were pedestrian vs. vehicle crashes, which resulted in severe injury,” Kauer said. “Both had the potential of being fatal crashes.”
The borough was awarded $92,328 in state funding for the project. The borough’s match for the project is estimated at about $39,600.
