Slippery Rock discusses new light system at deadly intersection
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Supervisors discussed PennDOT’s potential installation of a rural intersection conflict warning system at Branchton Road and Route 8 at a meeting Monday night, weeks after two people died in a motorcycle crash at the site.
Supervisor Paul Dickey said he met with PennDOT representatives Oct. 4 and they suggested improving the design with a system similar to what is used at Oneida Valley and Hooker roads in Washington Township.
“As you approach Route 8 from Branchton Road, a sign would show you if there’s traffic on Route 8 that would interfere with your crossing it,” he said.
The four-way intersection currently uses blinking yellow lights to regulate traffic.
Dickey said the new system would be designed by PennDOT in 2023 and potentially installed in 2024, as they have not received the funds for similar intersection projects statewide.
In September, the Branchton Road and Route 8 intersection was the site of a fatal crash between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle.
The motorcycle’s rider, Gary L. Redmond, 68, of Franklin, and his passenger, Jeannie M. Summers, 51, of Slippery Rock, died as a result of the crash.
That same month, a motorcycle rider was hospitalized following a crash at the intersection.
The crash was the latest in a series of lethal and serious crashes at the intersection.
According to previous reports, the blinker light was installed shortly after a 2003 crash where a North Carolina family of five was killed when a truck driver ignored a stop sign and hit the family’s vehicle.
Following the incident, supervisors had several meetings regarding the intersection into 2004, with many residents in attendance. Out of concern for the community’s safety, 660 residents signed a petition for a traffic light to be installed.
PennDOT representatives investigated possible intersection improvements and installed the blinker light in January 2004, despite their evaluation saying that a light was unnecessary.
A traffic light was not installed due to high cost.
“They also suggested they paint lines on Branchton Road in conjunction with our paving project to simulate smaller lanes, which, they say they’ve done studies on, this would slow traffic approaching Route 8,” Dickey said Monday. “They say it works. They also talked about updating LED stop signs on Branchton.”
He added that PennDOT representatives reached out to the township about possibly using the same system at the intersection of Branchton and Harmony roads near the township building.
Supervisors also voted to approve requesting a speed study from PennDOT on Route 8 from Kiester to Franklin roads.
“There’s very little chance it’d affect us financially,” Dickey said. “It’s a request to see if the speed could be reduced from 55 (mph) to 45 because we’ve had some residents ask about that. I don’t know if (PennDOT) will think it’s warranted.”
The next board of supervisors meeting will be Oct. 24 at 3 p.m.
