Pole problems delay wrap-up of traffic signal upgrades in Greensburg, Hempfield

PennDOT has completed most of the work on updating 18 traffic signals in Greensburg and Hempfield, but more work is needed at the intersection of Main and Otterman in downtown Greensburg.

Work also is continuing on upgrading traffic signals along a stretch of Route 30 in Hempfield and Jeannette.

The $3.8 million project that is focused in the Greensburg area includes complete replacement of 11 signals — mostly on Pittsburgh Street, between Westminster Avenue and where Route 130 splits off east of town.

It includes seven upgraded signals. Four of them are on Main Street, between Otterman and Fourth streets.

The signals are equipped with improved features for coordinating traffic flow. They also have the capability to preempt opposing traffic to provide the right of way to emergency vehicles.

Sidewalks and curb ramps also were replaced at some intersections.

The signal project began in March 2020 but was delayed for about six weeks because of restrictions related to the covid-19 pandemic.

PennDOT cited additional construction challenges it encountered in Greensburg — including heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, a high concentration of utilities and right-of-way issues.

“Unmarked existing utilities along with inconsistent right of way presented issues with the layout of the new traffic signal poles and … curb ramps,” according to PennDOT. “Other challenges included unforeseen underground vaults and heated sidewalks.”

At Main and Otterman, PennDOT determined the existing poles and mast arms would not withstand the weight of the heavier new signal equipment, according to Len Kubitza, assistant construction manager for the area.

New poles had to be ordered and fabricated.

“That’s why we’re a little bit behind,” he said. “All the other contract work is completed other than that intersection.”

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, he noted, final concrete work might have to wait until spring.

The Route 30 project involves upgrading signals at 11 intersections — between North Greengate Road to the east and Possum Hollow Road to the west — to include a more sophisticated control system. The Adaptive Signal Control Technology “allows signals to talk to each other and adjust signal timings in real time, based on current traffic conditions,” said Jay Ofsanik, acting press officer for the area.

That $2.4 million project, which also includes improvements to curb ramps, initially was slated to wrap up this past summer but now is expected to continue into early 2022.

Mother Nature was to blame for at least part of the delay, at an intersection in Hempfield, Kubitza said.

“A storm came through, and a very large tree fell alongside the highway and hit one of our mast arms,” he said. That prompted PennDOT to work with the township to replace the pole and mast arm for that signal.

Bronder Technical Services is the contractor for both signal projects.