Politics & Government
Wade Lane Traffic Safety Trial Sought
The posting of a sign prohibiting turns onto Wade Lane in Oakmont during morning rush hour may give residents the improved safety they've been requesting.
Wade Lane residents in Oakmont are hoping traffic restrictions will help the street become safer.
Oakmont council unanimously passed a motion to begin the process of fixing the problem for residents during morning rush hour.
The motion, proposed by council member Ronald Scott, requested a 30-day trial period for a sign on Hulton Road at the entrance to Wade Lane prohibiting right turns onto Wade Lane during rush hour on weekday mornings.
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“At this particular time in the morning,s people coming down Hulton toward the bridge use Wade Lane to cut through and avoid the light (at Hulton and Allegheny River Boulevard) and the backed up traffic,” Scott said.
“Those people rush through there, and that is a safety issue.”
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Turning currently is prohibited between 7 and 9 a.m., but there is no permanent sign.
The state owns the sign and cannot be installed until state officials approve it, Scott said.
Borough officials plan to soon contact the state for guidance and permission, he said.
Solicitor Robert Shoop expressed concern during the meeting for residents who live on and around Wade Lane who might be affected by the restriction.
“A lot of people live back there,” he said. “How will they get to their houses?”
Scott said the sign would only affect morning rush hour drivers turning right onto Wade Lane, which, he said, probably wouldn’t be residents.
However, he encouraged residents and those traveling on these roads to submit their feedback to the borough once the sign is posted.
“I hope we get feedback,” he said. “After we get it, we’ll either leave the sign up or take it down. Those are our only two options at that point.”
Scott said residents have been complaining about the traffic for several years, and warm weather only brings out more people, including children, onto the streets.
“We should try to do something to protect the community and avoid any accidents,” Scott said. “We want to keep the streets safe.”
Mayor Robert Fescemyer suggested a traffic study for this area in the future.
Scott has no start day at the time for the beginning of the sign’s 30-day trial, but hopes to post it soon once the state gives the borough permission.
