Residents, drivers to welcome traffic signal at busy Route 51 intersection
MENALLEN TWP. – Attempting to turn at an intersection with no traffic signal to stop or slow motorists driving at speeds of 55 mph in four lanes could intimidate anyone. David Androsik, a member of Concerned Citizens of Fayette County, lives a mile from the intersection of Laurel Hill and Upper Middletown roads at Route 51, where a traffic light has been installed, but has yet to be activated.
“Any time you have to cross four lanes to go in either direction seems a little wild,” Androsik said “Everybody feared that intersection when you had to go into it. …You’d have to experience it to understand it.”
Chuck Evanina, president of Concerned Citizens of Fayette County, lives 2 miles from the intersection.
“I just see how dangerous it is. I’ve had a few friends in major accidents,” he said. “It’s just terrible to get across there.”
Evanina praises the efforts of the Menallen Township supervisors and state Rep. Pete Daley’s office for the installation of the traffic light.
Evanina said his concern for the safety of motorists prompted him to attend a township meeting two years ago and ask the supervisors if a light at the intersection was a possibility.
At the time, however, the supervisors told him a traffic light at Searights Crossroads, on Route 40, took priority.
In addition to approaching the supervisors with his concerns, Evanina said he and other residents wrote letters to local newspapers, called local talk shows and lobbied Harrisburg about the traffic light.
“That light was needed badly,” township Supervisor Robert Yatsko said.
Supervisor John Yantko said the new traffic light should be activated within in the next two months and will ease the concerns of area residents and make the intersection safe.
Valerie Peterson, community relations coordinator at PennDOT District 12 in Uniontown, said the exact date for activating the light is not set, however.
Peterson said a new traffic light must run in flash mode for three to five days before the light can be activated. The flash mode serves as a notice to motorists driving in the area, and the traffic light can be turned to a “red, yellow, green sequence” only on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to ensure that motorists have enough time to become aware of the new signal.
Peterson said PennDOT worked with the township on a traffic study, and the volume of traffic in the area warranted the light.
Twelve accidents occurred at the intersection between 1996 and 2000, Peterson said.
State police Cpl. Daniel Mamrose said no fatal crashes have occurred there since 2001.
“Most accidents were typical angle accidents. They would pull out and get hit,” Peterson said. “Taking that information into hand is when we decided to put it in.”
Tom O’Hern, safety manager for PennDOT District 12, said certain criteria, such as traffic volume, must be met before installing a new traffic light.
“You can’t just put one up in any old spot,” he said.
Peterson said before the light is activated, PennDOT will issue a news release to notify area drivers.
“We were aware of the public concern,” O’Hern said.
“After meeting criteria, we decided to program that as a project location.”
Androsik and Evanina are pleased with that decision.
“I think it is a wonderful thing for people in this area,” Androsik said. “It will take the anxiety out of using that intersection.”