Plum Officials To Seek Warning at Intersection

Plum borough officials might ask and ask again when it comes to safety measures at the intersection of Sardis and Old Leechburg roads—this time, however, the question will be different.

Officials plan to ask the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to consider putting up a sign that says “opposing traffic does not stop” at the four-way intersection, in the hopes of preventing accidents.

There are two stop signs at the intersection, according to a listing on the borough’s online code of ordinances—one at the northeast corner and one at the southwest corner.

A resident who was concerned about the safety of the intersection had asked several months ago that a traffic study be done. Council discussed the request at Plum’s Aug. 1 work session.

Since 1985, officials said the district has turned to PennDOT four times to see if additional signs could be installed at the intersection, making it a four way stop.  

Each time—most recently nine months ago—a traffic study determined that additional stop signs weren’t needed.

Some disagree.

“I wish I had a penny for every time I heard somebody say they had an accident or a fender bender there,” Plum Mayor Richard Hrivnak told council.

Borough manager Michael Thomas said he doesn’t see the need for another study to be done. He expressed concerns over asking PennDOT to use state tax dollars needlessly.

Greg Bachy, Plum’s assistant borough manager, agreed.

“You don’t go to the well for something (when) you know the answer is ‘no’,” he said.

While he could see why some would think the intersection was dangerous, Bachy explained why PennDOT didn’t think it was.

 “In every direction on Sardis there’s adequate sight distance,” he said.

Bachy suggested asking PennDOT for the sign warning that opposing traffic does not stop and said that such a sign would provide advanced warning for all motorists.