Bethel Park, Scott receive state funds to improve traffic safety

Officials in Scott Township and Bethel Park received some good news from Harrisburg on July 14. Both municipalities are receiving grant money to support traffic signal upgrades through PennDOT’s Green Light-Go funding program.

Bethel Park is getting $185,292 for improvements to the traffic signal at Library Road (Route 88) and Milford Drive.

“The primary goal of this project is to replace the antiquated poles and span wires across Library Road and Milford Drive with more ridged and durable mast arms,” municipal manager Laurence Christian said. “This particular intersection, the wires get crossed and the power goes out and lights start flashing. So, I think this will go a long way toward making that entire intersection safer for our residents. We are super excited.”

Scott will receive $295,247 for replacement of the traffic signal at Cochran Road and Robinwood Drive.

The money is part of a $38 million package to increase safety, announced by Gov. Tom Wolf. Green Light-Go grants are given as reimbursements to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals.

Grant funding through the program can be used for a range of operational improvements, including LED technology installation, traffic signal retiming and upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies.

Scott Township manager Denise Fitzgerald said she’s been looking at making those types of improvements for at least a couple of years.

“We are extremely excited to receive the funding,” said Fitzgerald. “The biggest thing we were looking at was reducing liability, increasing the traffic flow, upgrading the current technology.

“Whenever the controllers become old you start to have timing issues. You want the signals to communicate with one another along that roadway.”