Senator Costa Announces Funding for Transportation Projects in Pittsburgh, Swissvale and Churchill

Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 29, 2019 − Senator Jay Costa, Jr. today announced state funding for transportation projects in the 43rd senatorial district, paid for by the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) program.

The ARLE program aims to improve safety at intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue. Under state law, grant funding is supplied by fines from red light violations at 30 intersections in Philadelphia. The law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 134 applications, totaling almost $38 million in requests.

“I recommended three intersections in my district because I’ve heard from constituents, and seen myself, that they were not as safe as they could be,” said Senator Costa. “Upgrading the traffic signals, improving pedestrian accommodations, and updating these intersections overall will make them safer for drivers, walkers and cyclists.”

The three projects include:

  • Churchill Borough – $107,000 to upgrade traffic signal controllers, install battery backup systems, and new LED traffic signal heads at three intersections.
  • City of Pittsburgh – $165,000 to upgrade the traffic signal at intersection of Bigelow Boulevard and Bayard Street with new traffic signal supports, LED signal heads, full pedestrian accommodations and detection system.
  • Swissvale Borough – $60,000 to upgrade traffic signal heads and the traffic signal controller, and to install a battery backup system at the intersection of South Braddock Avenue and Waverly Street/Edgewood Avenue.

Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as benefits and effectiveness, cost, local and regional impact, and cost sharing. This investment brings the total dollars awarded through the ARLE funding program to $78.49 million, funding 416 safety projects since 2010.

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Senator Costa Announces $200,000 Grant to Verona Borough

PITTSBURGH, PA – February 27, 2018 –  Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today announced that the Borough of Verona will receive a $200,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to install Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE). Verona will use the funds on a new traffic signal at the intersection of Allegheny River Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue.

“Automated enforcement at red lights can drastically improve the safety of an intersection, and state support is so critical to having them installed in our local municipalities” said Senator Costa. “They’ve been proven successful in reducing accidents and improving traffic flow around the state, and I’m glad that my district will get one through this grant.”

Pennsylvania’s ARLE program aims to improve safety at signalized intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue. Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as benefits and effectiveness, cost, local and regional impact, and cost sharing.

Allegheny County will also get several others this year:

  • Coraopolis Borough – $165,000 to upgrade the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 51 (4th Avenue) and Mulberry Street by improving signal visibility and pedestrian safety.
  • McCandless Township – $135,000 to install new LED pedestrian signal indications, push buttons, and emergency vehicle pre-emption at seven intersections throughout the township.
  • Springdale Borough – $192,000 to upgrade the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 1001 (Pittsburgh Street) and Butler Street by improving traffic signal supports, installing LED modules, improving pedestrian facilities, and upgrading controller and detection systems.
  • Verona Borough – $200,000 to installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Allegheny River Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue.

The law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted more than 143 applications, totaling over $34 million in requests.

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