Tarentum, other communities receive more than $700K for traffic safety projects

Tarentum is getting $226,000 in state funds to pay for traffic improvements at the intersection of East 10th Avenue and Corbet Street, officials announced this week.

The money comes from PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Funding Program).

It will be used to upgrade the intersection’s existing traffic signal, add a third crosswalk to the intersection, and evaluate the need for a westbound left turn light along East 10th Avenue, said PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan. If the turning light is warranted, it will be included in the new traffic signal design, Cowan said.

“The existing traffic signal is very old and does not meet any current traffic signal design standards,” Cowan said.

He added that the third crosswalk will allow pedestrians to cross all approaches to the intersection.

Other area communities also are getting grants through the same program, which in total are worth more than $700,000, according to state Sen. Lindsey Williams.

The other communities are:

• Hampton: $166,500 to upgrade the traffic signal at the intersection of Wildwood Road and West Hardies Road/Wildwood Sample Road.

• Shaler: $308,000 to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Route 8 and the Glenshaw Glass Driveway.

• West View: $12,682 to install overhead pedestrian crossing signs along Perry Highway.

Williams, who represents the 38th state Senate District, advocated for the grants.

The 38th district includes a large portion of the Alle-Kiski Valley, a small section of Pittsburgh and suburban communities in Allegheny County’s North Hills.

“Traffic safety is one of the most regular complaints municipalities receive, but finding solutions to these problems can be complicated and extremely costly,” Williams said. “This grant funding will allow Hampton, Shaler, Tarentum, and West View to move forward with projects to make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.”

Funding for the grant program is generated from the fines collected through Automated Red Light Enforcement Systems, which monitor signalized intersections on a 24/7 basis to help reduce crashes and injuries caused by people running red lights, according to PennDOT.

The systems have been implemented at 30 intersections in Philadelphia and three intersections in Abington Township, Montgomery County, PennDOT said.