Traffic-calming study planned for USC neighborhood
The speed of vehicles on Huntington Drive in Upper St. Clair has township officials investigating traffic-calming efforts.
Trans Associates presented the results of a Huntington Drive traffic study at the board’s Jan. 30 agenda meeting in which three criteria are used when determining the need for traffic calming efforts.
They include average weekday traffic volume, highest one hour traffic volume on an average day and 85th percentile speed of vehicles traveling at greater than 7 mph over the posted speed limit. The posted speed limit on Huntington is 25 mph.
While traffic volume on Huntington did not meet the average daily volume or peak hour traffic volume, it did meet 85th percentile speed threshold, with traffic averaging 33 mph in both directions.
Trans Associates recommended a two-phase traffic-calming plan. In phase one, two speed humps and warning signage would be installed on Huntington between Weston Drive and Johnston Road. In addition, a stop sign and advanced warning signage would be installed at the Weston approach to Huntington.
A follow-up traffic study would be conducted to determine the impact of phase one traffic-calming measures. If warranted, additional speed humps could be considered on Huntington.
Several Huntington Drive residents voiced their opinions about the proposed traffic calming efforts. Those opposed suggested increasing traffic patrols and ticketing as a deterrent before considering the more expensive option of speed humps. They also told the board that if speed humps were added to Huntington, traffic would move to Old Washington Road.
Those in favor of the traffic calming measures said they had real concerns about the safety of children walking to bus stops and of elderly residents in the neighborhood. One resident commented that police patrols were effective, but when the police were not there, vehicles were speeding.
Board members asked for data on accidents and ticketing on Huntington prior to their Feb. 6 meeting, when they are expected to vote on the plan.
In other business, the board established March 6 as the public hearing date for conditional use approval for a modification to township code to allow two restaurants to be within 400 feet of one another. The applicant, Michael Orie of USC RE, LLC, is requesting the modification for 145 McMurray Road, the site of Dunkin’ Donuts. If conditional use is approved, tentative plans are for an ice cream business and a take-out pizza business in the two vacant retail spaces in the building.
The board also established April 3 as the public hearing date for tentative approval of a planned residential development for Friendship Village, located at 1290 Boyce Road. The proposed plan includes an assisted living/memory care building, a skilled nursing building, and an independent living building.