ROYERSFORD, PA — State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) announced this week that two traffic safety projects in Chester County have been awarded a total of $654,262 in Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding. The grants will fund critical traffic signal upgrades in East Pikeland Township and North Coventry Township, aimed at enhancing road safety and improving the flow of traffic.
The funding is part of a larger $13 million investment by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in 39 projects across the Commonwealth. The ARLE program targets intersections with a history of red-light violations, using automated enforcement to improve safety.
“This funding is great news for East Pikeland and North Coventry residents – but also for drivers from across our region because these projects will improve road safety and the flow of traffic for all of us in Chester County,” said Sen. Muth. “This is a very competitive grant program, and I am very appreciative of the work of our local officials to continue to leverage state programs and state funding to complete necessary upgrades and improvements to infrastructure across our region.”
East Pikeland Township received $367,162 for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Ridge Road and Hares Hill Road. Meanwhile, North Coventry Township was granted $287,100 to upgrade traffic signals along the Route 100 and Route 724 corridors. The upgrades will include the installation of stop bar and dilemma zone detection, LED signal indication upgrades, new backplates with reflective strips, and ADA compliant pedestrian pushbuttons with LED latching.
These improvements aim to mitigate traffic accidents and enhance driver and pedestrian safety, particularly at intersections where red-light running has proven problematic.
The ARLE program is funded by fines from red-light violations at 34 intersections in Philadelphia. State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. An eight-member committee selected the projects based on criteria such as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact.
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