Borough Two-Way Traffic Up for Discussion
Whitman, Requardt and Associations Project Manager Scott Thompson-Graves and Senior Project Engineer Chad Reese talk with Ron Steffey of the Allegheny Valley Land Trust and former Borough Councilwoman Lisa McCanna during this October 2012 public meeting to discuss resident recommendations. The recommendation for two-way traffic along Jefferson Street will be revisited next week. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A town hall meeting will be held next week for input from Kittanning Borough residents regarding traffic changes along one of the municipality side streets.
In February 2013, after 14 months of research, Whitman, Requardt and Associates engineers from Seven Fields (Butler County) revealed Project Advisory Committee’s recommendation to have Jefferson Street be one of two that would accompany vehicles in opposite directions.
Former Councilwoman Lisa McCanna recommended the action since it would benefit borough visitors.
“Just things that we thought would have the most impact – like having McKean and Jefferson being both ways. I never quite understood why it was only one-way –I’m sure there was a reason in the past, but in this day of age, it just didn’t make sense,” McCanna said. “And when strangers come to town, they’re always going the wrong way anyhow.”
However, current council members have concerns on the recommendation by engineers, County Community Division Director Jennifer Bellas said last week.
“There were some concern and questions about the two-way traffic proposed on South Jefferson Street during Phase II of the Market Street (Revitalization) Project,” Bellas said.
Council members met with engineers before last week’s regular meeting.
Engineers also recommended the two-way traffic along McKean Street a block north – which is to be implemented.
The short-term priorities indicated by the nearly-dozen committee members – who work within Kittanning Borough Council, PennDOT or County agencies – include improved curbs, crosswalks and parking.
More traffic flow off Market Street would also increase safety, engineers at the time said, since the committee recommended McKean and Jacob Streets become two-way and traffic from Market Street could turn onto both roads.
A PennDOT representative at the meeting agreed that the alternatives suggested would address several potential problems along Market and Water Streets.
The town hall meeting has been scheduled for 7PM Tuesday, November 18 at the First Church of God on Woodward Avenue in Kittanning Borough’s 3rd Ward.
At the same time, engineers analyzed the Water Street-Walnut Street intersection for the SINC-UP” project – which stands for Signals In Coordination with Upgrades –that was completed this summer to upgrade equipment through a grant and studied all four traffic signals along Market Street downtown
“These design recommendations were for PennDOT - not necessarily for the Borough during the transportation study,” Bellas said.
Part of that recommendation including an exclusive left-turn lane for traffic coming from the Kittanning Citizens Bridge– as opposed to the current signal where motorists can turn left onto Water Street or remain straight onto Market – and make the right lane – which now turns on South Water Street- allow traffic to continue straight
That recommendation and others are not planned for town hall discussion.
Kittanning Borough | jweaver November 10, 2014
By jorn jensen, November 10, 2014 @ 8:04 AM
One-way streets waste time and fuel. Get rid of them and promote traffic movement.