Many people are inexplicably opposed to roundabouts in Western Pennsylvania. However, if they will save lives how can you oppose them?

There have been far too many accidents at the intersection of Route 8 and Airport Road in Penn Township. Even worse is the number of fatalities at the intersection of Route 8 and Branchton Road above Slippery Rock.

Both intersections have traffic lights and caution signs. What else can be done?

Removing all distractions such as advertising signs at the scene in Penn Township might help, but there aren’t those same distractions at Branchton Road.

In fact, Branchton Road is heavily equipped with speed reduction, flashing stop signs and traffic signals and yet is a horribly unsafe area. Why not try the intrusive roundabout?

The Branchton road area is flat and seems like it would be easier to do. The Penn Township intersection includes a severe down-slope from one direction.

Would this be inconvenient? You are absolutely correct.

Would it save lives? Without a doubt.

Nothing else has worked so why not give it a try?

PennDOT moves at a snail’s pace on pretty much everything so more people will probably die before any of this happens, but if PennDOT starts the studies today, perhaps this could be completed about the same year the Pittsburgh Pirates make the playoffs.

Maybe not, but nothing else seems to be working.

— RV