Red light fines fund 4 Montco signal projects
Four Montgomery County intersections will receive more than $1 million in improvements as the result of $12.9 million in PennDOT funding distributed to 22 municipalities around the commonwealth.
The funding comes from the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) fund.
The projects are as follows:
• Hatboro Borough — $83,550 to install overhead and post-mounted pedestrian signage with Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons for the existing crosswalk.
“I’m very glad that this crosswalk has received state grant money to make necessary infrastructure improvements that will increase pedestrian safety,” state Rep. Nancy Guenst, D-152nd Dist, said in a press release announcing the funding. “With people becoming increasingly reliant on walking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I’m glad that pedestrian safety will be increased by the installation of overhead and post-mounted pedestrian signage with Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons.”
• Limerick Township — $37,290 to install pedestrian signal improvements comprising of LED Hand-Man Countdown pedestrian signal heads, controller assembly modifications to accommodate the Hand-Man Countdown pedestrian signals, pavement marking adjustments on Tenth Street and revised location of an ADA ramp.
“This state grant money will help make Limerick Township safer for pedestrians and so increase the quality of life for people living in this beautiful part of the 146th,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., said in a press release issued after the announcement. “This is good government at work enabling infrastructure improvements that will protect pedestrians and motorists alike for years to come.”
• Upper Hanover Township — $494,600.00 to modernize the intersection of John Fries Highway (Route 663) and Geryville Road, including new traffic signal supports and equipment. Advance warning “Signal Ahead” devices will be provided for the John Fries Highway (Route 663) approaches.
• Whitemarsh Township — $453,705.00 to modernize the intersection of Bethlehem Pike (Route 2018), Skippack Pike (Route 73) and Camp Hill Road (Route 2028). The project includes the installation of new mast arms and/or pedestals with LED signal indications, installation of video vehicle detection with dilemma-zone detection for Bethlehem Pike, conversion of existing five-section signal heads to flashing yellow indications along Bethlehem Pike, inclusion of emergency pre-emption equipment and timings, upgrade of the existing signal controller with new conduit/wiring throughout the intersection, installation of a battery backup system and fiber interconnect to the Church Road intersection to the south.
Pennsylvania’s ARLE program aims to improve safety at signalized intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue.
“This program helps communities across the state make investments in safety and efficient traffic flow,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a press release. “These improvements complement the many road, bridge, and multimodal projects happening in Pennsylvania.”
Grant funding is supplied by fines from red-light violations at 32 intersections in Philadelphia. State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility, and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 132 applications, totaling $48.3 million in requests.
Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact.
This investment brings the total dollars awarded through the ARLE funding program to $112.7 million, funding 501 transportation enhancement projects since 2010.