Major safety enhancements planned for busy Harrison intersection
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When Harrison capped off more than $80,000 in repairs to the World War II Honor Roll at Freeport and Springhill roads in February, it was only the start to upgrades at the busy intersection.
The township commissioners are eyeing a $2 million project to redo the five-way intersection, which, at times, can be menacing for pedestrians trying to access Heights Plaza, the Harrison Hi-Rise or McDonald’s.
“Numerous people cross here during the day and after dark,” Commissioner Jim Erb said. “This will make it easier and safer for our elderly and young people to get to the memorial or other destinations. It’s not safe without updates like ‘walk’ signs and better lighting.”
The township last week was awarded $400,000 toward the work through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. There are other grant applications under consideration.
Work will include an upgrade to traffic signals at both roads, in addition to Broadview Boulevard, which runs parallel to Freeport Road in front of the plaza.
“We have multiple poles and equipment that are close to their life expectancy,” Erb said.
Commissioner Eric Bengel said the traffic light poles are starting to show “excessive age.”
The board has been hoping to replace the lights for several years, he said.
“That intersection has been needing (to be) worked on for a little while now, and the grant money will allow the township to not have to use township funds, which can be used in other areas,” Bengel said.
Though the configuration of the intersection won’t change, updating the timing of the traffic signals and the pattern of the crosswalks will go a long way to ease confusion for walkers and cyclists, commissioners said.
Wheelchair-accessible crossings will be added so residents of the high-rise can cross more safely to the plaza and McDonald’s. Work will keep in mind the recent addition of a bike lane along Springhill Road and improve ramps there, too.
Earlier this year, Harrison was awarded $79,500 to improve sidewalks for cyclists and walkers.
The money came from the state Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund and was administered through the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments.
Work will include a new sidewalk along the stretch of Broadview Boulevard near the high-rise, along with new street markings and ramps compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
“It will allow residents to have a safe passageway along that side of Broadview,” Township Manager Amy Rockwell said. “They currently have to traverse over stones or through the parking lot.”