Jackson handles traffic changes
JACKSON TWP — Police are adjusting to changes in traffic patterns and various construction and development projects in the township with new technology and control devices.
The most recent changes made include the township decreasing the speed limit on Tollgate School Road from 35 mph to 25 mph and the state Department of Transportation posting “No U-turn” signs on Route 19 between the Interstate 79 interchanges and downtown Zelienople.
Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer said people have been making illegal U-turns on Route 19 after exiting I-79 southbound since ramp construction began last month, creating “hazardous situations.” Nearly 30 citations have been issued to drivers making these U-turns since road work started as of Friday.
Seilhamer also said tractor-trailers have tried making U-turns on the road, causing traffic disruptions.
“They’ll swing onto Tollgate School Road at the mouth of the road to make the U-turn,” Seilhamer said. “Under the state motor code, if you pull a U-turn that interferes with traffic, you’re subject to arrest or a traffic violation.”
The township police department also has invested in new equipment to slow down and better monitor traffic in problem areas.
Two speed bumps and warning signs were recently purchased by police that will be installed in township housing developments. Chains may be used to secure the speed bumps.
“We’re trying to help the residents out and keep people safe,” said Trent Geis, chairman for the township’s board of supervisors. “I think the key to it all is safety.”
Township police will also use a radar recorder recently acquired to narrow down traffic patterns on selected roads.
“It records traffic going both ways in two-hour increments, including how many vehicles and how fast they’re going,” Seilhamer said. “A lot of times, people complain about speeding and they’re not specific about what day of the week or what time it is. This enables us to pin it down a little more.”
Traffic patterns have changed in recent years due to growing development. Officials from the Buncher Co., Sippel Development and Creative Real Estate Development have previously said the township’s location near major highways and I-79 makes it ideal for new housing and businesses.
Some of these changes in traffic patterns include full service for I-79 at Little Creek Road and a new intersection at Route 528 by Tomlinson Road and Jo Deener Drive.
“We are making adjustments to try to mitigate any accidents,” Geis said. “With the increased growth on Tollgate School Road and more cars, we’ve elected to adjust the speed limit, especially where you have houses with driveways that go onto the street.”
Geis said adjustments made to the township’s roads have been positive for the area.
Future plans include a new intersection at Route 19 by Tollgate School Road and Gudekunst Road, a five-signal intersection on Route 19 by Fanker Road, Wise Road and Mennonite Lane and a roundabout at Little Creek Road and Mercer Road.
“We’re basically a commuter community as far as our road system goes,” Seilhamer said. “We’re a major pass-through for people passing through central Butler County to Pittsburgh and back.”
The recent paving of Route 528 by PennDOT lifted a 10-ton weight limit for the road. Trucks up to 42.5 feet and 102-inches wide are now allowed to travel the road, much to the ire of some township officials and residents.
Reflector posts have been placed recently on Route 528 to deter trucks from traveling onto the road’s shoulder.
“The trucks traveling southbound were actually taking the inside shoulder and driving into the soft area,” Seilhamer said. “That creates trenches by the road.”
Seilhamer said education is important for people to understand the ramifications of their decisions when it comes to obeying traffic laws, besides being pulled over.
“As these community housing plans grow, there’s going to be young children that will wander out onto the roads,” he said. “We also have an awful lot of deer strikes here because so much of the township is wooded.”
