Fines generated through Pennsylvania’s automated red light enforcement program are set to fund two proposed intersection improvements on Route 30 in Westmoreland County.
A $167,000 grant has been approved for proposed modifications to improve safety at Route 30 and Wimmerton Boulevard in Unity.
In Irwin, the program also is providing $347,000 to upgrade the intersection at Main and Third streets by providing new mast arm type supports to allow the signals to be mounted over the roadway. In addition to the vehicular signals, new pedestrian count down signal heads will be provided.
The grants are part of about $13 million that PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement program will provide to 22 municipalities.
Some residents of the Wimmerton housing development in Unity have objected to a proposal to install a barrier to eliminate left turns from Wimmerton Boulevard onto Route 30 east. Under the plan, motorists who want to head east would use a side road to reach Saint Vincent Drive, where they could access Route 30 at a signal.
In a recent survey of Unity residents who attended a township display of the project plans, the left-turn restriction was favored by a slight margin of 21 respondents compared to 19 who would rather see installation of a traffic signal and 16 who preferred no change.
In a previous survey organized by some of the residents, there were 52 who approved of the project, but they were outnumbered by 131 who wanted a traffic signal and 78 who voted for no change.
The supervisors have said they were disappointed more residents didn’t participate in the latest survey.
Supervisor Mike O’Barto suggested the township board reach out to Wimmerton’s resident associations as they discuss what direction to take concerning the intersection project.
“I think from there we’ll be able to make a decision on what we want to do,” he said. “We’ve got to do it the right way.”
At the Irwin intersection, new supports will allow the traffic signals to be mounted over the roadway. The updated signals will display a countdown to alert pedestrians to the amount of time they have to cross the street safely.
The funding for the projects is generated through fines for red light violations at 32 intersections in Philadelphia.
