Traffic signal, road widening project coming to Richland intersection

Following a traffic study for the intersection of Community Center Drive and Gibsonia Road in Richland, the installation of a traffic signal and left turn lane were deemed necessary to increase safety and ease traffic flow.

The Richland board of supervisors voted on June 21 to authorize Trans Associates to submit an Automated Red Light Enforcement grant application for a portion of the cost of the signal’s installation. The grant request is for $210,000, which the township plans to match using funds from its Highway Improvement Capital Reserve and transportation impact fees collected from developers.

“There’s enough traffic on the road and the side streets, and enough turning conflicts to require a traffic signal,” township manager Dean Bastianini said.

Along with the signal, the township plans to widen Community Center Drive to increase vehicle capacity and allow for assignment of right-of-way to left-turning vehicles onto Gibsonia Road. An additional cost is relocating an existing water line in the vicinity.

The project would install the needed equipment, including signal supports, vehicular signals, pedestrian facilities, detection, controller assembly and communications equipment to coordinate with the existing system along Route 8.

“Our project’s design has been submitted to PennDOT, we’re waiting on them to issue us a highway occupancy permit. Once the HOP is issued, we’ll be obtaining additional properties we need to install the poles and the traffic controller. When we have the properties necessary to install those facilities, we’ll go out to bid and install the signal,” Bastianini said.

The township will fund the design and other roadway improvements, but is seeking money for the traffic signal work. The cost estimate includes the construction of the signal only, with other funding sources being used for design, bidding and roadway improvements.

The township already received a $305,000 grant to help with construction costs. Officials are seeking additional funding due to the estimated project cost being $1,323,440.

Disruptions are likely for motorists, according to Bastianini.

“You can’t install a traffic signal without there being some inconveniences, but I don’t think the road will have to be closed,” he said. “Part of the approval is a signage and traffic safety control plan. That’s part of what the permitting process is for. The traffic engineers will propose one, and PennDOT will sign off on that.”

Bastianini projects early 2024 as the time to put the project out to bid, with construction in the summer and completion by the fall.

“I think it’s a very worthwhile project and I’m looking forward to implementing it as efficiently and economically as we can,” he said.