State senator discusses traffic in PT
State Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, came to Peters Township Tuesday to listen to township officials’ concerns about local traffic congestion and needed road improvements.
“It’s important to us to start a dialogue to map out what to expect,” Smith said during the meeting, which was attended by Michael Silvestri, the township manager, and township council members James Berquist and Monica Merrell.
Peters’ wish list for road projects varied from the large – a roundabout at the Route 19 interchange with Valley Brook Road – to the very small, a no-left-turn sign on West McMurray Road, near the CVS drug store.
“We could also use a turning lane (on East McMurray Road) by the high school,” Berquist said. “It would solve some of the unnecessary backup. In the morning, it’s bad.”
Merrell said she has had several people complain about the speed limit on Venetia Road, a problem that could get worse if and when shale drilling begins, she said. The speed limit on the windy, state-owned road is mostly 35 mph but increases to 40 mph and then drops back down to 25 mph. Compounding the problem is the fact that many of the homes sit very close to the road, she said.
“Peters is in a unique situation because of high growth,” Smith said. “We need to be as proactive as possible to mitigate congestion. We’ve been seeing a lot of job growth in the township. It (traffic congestion) is a great problem to have.”