A traffic light project at 10th Avenue and Corbet Street in Tarentum is expected to improve safety at the busy intersection.
Council green-lighted the work, at a cost of $215,800, to replace the traffic signals and add a third crosswalk at the busy intersection.
“You won’t have to cross Corbet to a certain side in order to cross (10th),” Council President Scott Dadowski said. “It’s not that far, but it still will provide more safety.”
Work will be funded by a state grant awarded to Tarentum through PennDOT.
Money is made available through the Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements grant program, which generates fines through monitored, signalized intersections to help reduce crashes and injuries caused by people running red lights, according to PennDOT.
“That the whole thing is no cost to the borough is very exciting,” Dadowski said.
“That’s a busy intersection, and seeing this through is progress.”
The contract was awarded to Traffic Systems and Services Inc. Work is expected to start this summer.
Borough Manager Michael Nestico was not certain how long the project will take. He said a westbound left turning light from 10th Avenue will be added to the traffic signal design.
“The left turn will be the newer flashing yellow arrow-style light,” Nestico said. “It will give drivers the ability to turn on a green arrow or to yield and proceed with caution on a flashing yellow signal.”
Nestico said driver and pedestrian safety will be improved.
There will be a pedestrian countdown signal, and the traffic lights will be revamped to include a system that will allow emergency vehicles to pass through without getting a red light.
He said the existing traffic signal is antiquated and doesn’t meet the current design standards.
Dadowski said the painting of the crosswalks will be an extra way to slow drivers in that area.
“Even if there’s no one walking across, it’s a reminder to slow down,” he said.
