Harrison seeking safety boost along Freeport Road

Harrison officials are seeking to boost safety along Freeport Road for vehicles and pedestrians.

Police Chief Brian Turack said traffic signals along the business stretch are “pretty outdated.”

“They were all added or designed at different times so none of them really work together,” he said.

Commissioners have hired HRG Engineering to devise a solution that will synchronize the lights.

“The board discussed traffic flow on Freeport Road in 2023 and again in 2024, noting that many drivers seemed to be using side streets to avoid waiting at traffic signals,” Manager Amy Rockwell said.

She said that because the intersections were permitted as stand-alone entities, the township needs to assess coordination for better traffic flow.

Turack said police have seen motorists, apparently frustrated by waiting at red lights when no other vehicles are approaching, try to race the signals to get through them.

“We want to see if they can be timed together so you’re not stuck at every red light,” he said. “If all the lights work together, it will enhance safety.”

Turack added that a study would benefit traffic flow because of township development over about 15 years that includes Walmart on one end and Sheetz in the middle.

“We want to see how traffic patterns from those stores affects flow in other parts of the township,” he said.

At the same time, Harrison is working with PennDOT on a school zone project to boost safety. Work will include signs, pavement markings and lights near the schools and also near Harvard and Idaho avenues.

Turack said the project aims to enhance visibility in crosswalks and is part of PennDOT’s Vulnerable Road Users safety initiative.

Steve Cowan, PennDOT spokesman, said existing electronic and static school zone signs will be updated along Freeport Road, Broadview Boulevard, Argonne Drive and California Avenue, all near Highlands Middle School.

“Additionally, at the intersections of Freeport Road and Idaho Avenue, and Freeport Road and Harvard Avenue, the project will eradicate the existing crossing and install a high-visibility ‘piano key-style’ crosswalk along with pedestrian warning signage at the crossing and advance of the crossing,” Cowan said.

The project is being advertised for contract bids now and the cost depends on a successful bidder.

Work is expected to begin next year.