PennDOT includes East Washington in grant
Fines imposed on those who run red lights in Philadelphia are headed in the form of a grant to East Washington Borough to make East Beau Street safer for students.
The borough will be receiving $56,000 to install LED school zone speed limit warning lights in the vicinity of Faith Christian School, 524 E. Beau St., which offers classes from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
Despite the fact that Faith Christian is housed at the former East Washington High School, upper-level students at Faith attend classes held at the First Christian Church facility in the 600 block of East Beau, said borough Mayor Michael Gomber.
The mayor drew diagrams and applied for the grant after an unsuccessful attempt to receive money from the Local Share Account of gambling revenue from The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
Once the flashing lights are installed, there will be a reduced speed during morning arrivals and afternoon departures from the school.
Gov. Tom Wolf this week announced the project will be part of $15.4 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement funding to 38 municipalities statewide that were found to be eligible in proposing 50 safety projects.
The program aims to improve safety at intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue.
Under state law, grant funding is supplied by fines from red-light violations at 30 intersections in Philadelphia. The law specifies that projects must improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion to be considered for funding.
Municipalities submitted 134 applications, totaling almost $38 million in requests.
Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as benefits and effectiveness, cost, local and regional impact, and cost sharing.
According to Gomber, the borough is not required to provide a local match.