» McKean Street Becoming Two-Way Next Week

McKean Street Becoming Two-Way Next Week

McKean Street in Kittanning Borough will be converted to two-way traffic as soon as PennDOT officials test new traffic signals next week.

According to Kittanning Borough and County officials, construction of Phase I of the Market Street Revitalization Project is in its final stages.

Utility companies are transferring their facilities from overhead to underground and the new traffic signals that have been installed will be tested by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Thursday, April 2.

Upon completion of the testing, traffic flow will be opened to two-way on McKean Street between Arch Street and Jacob Street – a nearly-five block stretch - and lane changes will be made on Market Street to accommodate the new traffic flow.

Borough Council President Randy Cloak looks forward to the upcoming change.

“The two-way traffic is a great new change for Kittanning,” Cloak said in a news release.

The conversion to two-way traffic was a recommendation made in the
Kittanning Borough Transportation Study adopted by Kittanning Borough in March 2013. Borough Council listened to a motion to keep McKean and Jefferson Streets both one way in December

“As we sit here tonight, the streets will go to two ways as the project progresses west,” Cloak said in December. “I believe the study is accurate. I will base my opinion on the recommendation of the professionals.

“Whenever we’re doing projects, there are always people who are opposed, but you know what we hear when we don’t do anything? ‘What are we going to do about Kittanning?’ We got to give it our best shot.

“I have had enough of complaining about attempts to move things forward. Things are not working the way they are.”

In addition to the two-way traffic, stop signs will be added at the Arch
Street/McKean Street intersection in the north and southbound directions, creating a 4-way stop intersection.

Planning and Development Project Manager Walt Smail said the revitalization project began in 2011 after five conceptual public meetings. An initial study was done in 2009 due to the site of the former Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus.

Kittanning Borough was awarded $3 million for the second phase of the project – which will also include traffic signal upgrades, curb extensions, improved pedestrian crossings, new pedestrian signal equipment, and coordinating all traffic signals along Market Street – in October.

Kittanning Borough | jweaver March 24, 2015