A Vandergrift woman has created a petition to try to reduce the speed limit on Holland Avenue.

Ursula Clark, a retired steelworker, said motorists exceeding the posted 25 mph speed limit is a daily problem.

She said her beloved dog, Titan, recently was struck by a vehicle traveling at what she said was a high rate of speed in front of her residence.

Her dog suffered extensive injuries and had to be euthanized.

As Clark grieves the loss of her pet, she fears a child could be the next Holland Avenue victim if motorists don’t slow down.

“We need to help people understand the importance of safety for the pedestrians and children,” Clark said.

Clark’s petition is asking for a reduction to 15 mph on Holland Avenue. She also wants the embankment on La Bellevue Road to be cut back 4 feet, graveled and concrete barriers added for pedestrian safety.

Clark posted her petition on social media and said she has been walking around the community asking for signatures.

“I’ll walk everywhere if I have to,” Clark said.

To sign the petition click here.

Shaun Feldbusch, a Holland Avenue resident since 2006, was one of three residents that addressed Vandergrift Council about the speeding during Monday’s meeting. He described Holland Avenue as a “raceway.”

Neighbor Karen Cramer has lived on Holland Avenue for 20 years.

“I sit on my porch a lot, and the speed up there is terrible,” Cramer told council.

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Cramer said numerous small children live in the neighborhood.

“I see a lot of things going on up there that could end up being a real danger if something isn’t done regarding the walking area and the speed factor,” Cramer said.

Holland Avenue resident Goldie Branan lives with her four grandchildren. She recently bought a red sign that she posted in her yard warning motorists to slow down.

She said it doesn’t seem to be deterring speeders.

“People fly up and down through here, and they wouldn’t even see them (the children),” Branan said. “And it’s pretty much all day, the speeding.”

During Monday’s meeting, Vandergrift Councilwoman Christine Wilson told residents that the borough had done “what we could.” She said borough crews had recently painted “slow” signs and stripes, installed several signs referencing slow-children at play on Holland Avenue.

Wilson said the borough can only do so much because Holland Avenue is a state road. She said she contacted PennDOT to request the speed limit be reduced from 25 mph to 15 mph but said her request was denied. She said she was told speed limits are only reduced to 15 mph only in hospital and school zones.

PennDOT spokesman Jay Ofsanik said he checked PennDOT records Wednesday. He said the borough’s last request for a study on Holland Avenue was in 2001.

Ofsanik recommended any requests by borough officials be done in writing, including any request for a new Holland Avenue traffic study.

In her petition, Clark noted Kennedy Park in Vandergrift has a posted speed limit of 15 mph.

Vandergrift olice Chief Joe Caporali said because of the recent complaints from residents, motorists can expect more police presence at Holland Avenue and La Bellevue Road.

“In response to concerns raised by our residents concerning speeding vehicles, we will be monitoring traffic there routinely,” Caporali said.

Vandergrift Councilwoman Karen McClarnon applauded the efforts of Clark and her neighbors.

“I support any community member wanting to make a difference,” McClarnon said.

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