South Greensburg gets grant to improve traffic signal

South Greensburg will get a new traffic signal at the borough’s busy intersection of Broad Street and Huff Avenue, the result of a $237,270 grant from the state.

The existing traffic signal is old and outdated and there is a need for the newest signal technology, said Jaime Peticca, borough secretary, who applied for the grant. The current signal does not accommodate pedestrians with a button that can allow them stop traffic to allow people to cross the street safely, Peticca said.

“We hope to improve the safety for vehicles and pedestrians,” Peticca said.

They also hope to have a signal that can be activated by the sirens of emergency vehicles — fire, police and ambulance, Peticca said. Such an activation device would stop traffic and allow for the safe passage of the emergency vehicles through the intersection.

The borough was one of 50 municipalities that were awarded more than $15.6 million for upgrading traffic signals with the intention of improving safety and reducing traffic congestion. The funding comes through PennDOT’s Green Light Go program.

South Greensburg applied for the funding about two years ago, but the project was delayed because of the covid pandemic, said Mayor Kevin Fajt.

The money is given to the municipalities as a reimbursement for updating existing traffic signals. The grant may be used to install LED lights, retime the traffic signals, develop special event plans and monitoring traffic signals.

South Greensburg was the only municipality in the county to be awarded a grant in this sixth round of funding.