Donora seeks answers to lost traffic lights

Stop signs are currently in place after a pole that held the lights collapsed last month.

By KRISTIE LINDEN
For the Mon Valley Independent

Late last month, a pole that held two traffic lights over the intersection of Sixth Street and McKean Avenue in Donora fell to the ground after it rusted completely through and crumbled.

Because McKean Avenue is one way heading north, the borough has replaced all three traffic lights at the intersection with stop signs as a temporary measure.

Council President Cindy Brice said she was driving down McKean Avenue toward Sixth Street one Wednesday and saw something was down across the roadway.

The pole was two-pronged, with one arm that held a light over the center of McKean and the other that held a light over Sixth Street, between Union Pharmacy and the Donora Smog Museum.

The base of the pole was attached to the cement just outside Union Pharmacy on the sidewalk, across from the gazebo and borough parking garage.

The stop signs are fine for now, but council isn’t sure whether it will have to replace the light or if the borough can just install threeway stop signs.

Borough Administrator Mike Thornton got in touch with officials in Charleroi who are in the process of having some of their traffic lights studied to determine if they’re still necessary or if stop signs could do the job. Thornton said he was advised to speak to Dave Parker from PennDOT in Uniontown.

Parker told Thornton the borough engineers at Gannett Fleming will have to do a traffic study of the intersection and get that data to someone in his office who will take the lead on the project.

Councilman Casey Perrotta asked why PennDOT would be involved as McKean Avenue is not a state road, but traffic lights and other traffic safety devices are governed by the state.

PennDOT determines where all traffic lights are placed and whether a light should be removed. In both cases, the traffic study looks to see how many vehicles use the intersection daily and at certain times to find out if a light is needed to improve safety. If there isn’t enough traffic to require a light, it can be removed.

Councilman Jim Brice said he’s talked to some people in Charleroi and they may lose several traffic lights due to lack of traffic. Monessen has lost several traffic lights in recent years for the same reason.

In Donora, it would be a cost-saving measure if the lights do not need to be replaced as the cost to install new poles and purchase new lights could be too high.

Street Foreman Dean Fronzaglio said that traffic light has cost the borough about $400-$500 this year in maintenance alone.

Thornton said once the engineers complete the study and certify the results, PennDOT can get the rest of the process so council can permanently fix the intersection one way or the other.