Traffic light at 11th Street set to flash

A spokeswoman said the signal will flash yellow on Philadelphia Street and red on 11th Street, while stop signs will be placed on the 11th Street approaches.

A flashing yellow light means caution, while a flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.

PennDOT said it will study and monitor the intersection during the flashing operation, in preparation for the removal of the traffic signal in the spring as part of the Philadelphia Street Bridge Replacement Project.

It is a planned $3.9 million replacement of two bridges or culverts, one of which carries Philadelphia Street over Whites Run. The other carries Philadelphia Street, where it is part of state Route 286, over Marsh Run.

Additionally, on the Borough of Indiana Facebook page, it was reported Friday that Indiana Borough Police Department will independently monitor traffic.

PennDOT District 10 officials have said the work cannot be done without the removal of that traffic signal.

In a statement, PennDOT officials reiterated that they studied traffic volume at the intersection on multiple occasions, and found the signal does not satisfy requirements described in the state code.

PennDOT has eyed removal of that signal since it was included in the 2019-22 Transportation Improvement Program for the 10 Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission member counties including Indiana.

The SPC plan has the bulk of that work slated for next year, with completion expected in 2021.

On Aug. 6 Indiana Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing removal of the traffic signal.

Council Vice President Gerald Smith cited the borough receiving a bronze rating as a walkable community, with more than 20 percent of the population walking or biking to work.

The resolution also pointed to borough sponsorship of WalkWorks, “a program that brings together community health and wellness, along with appreciation of Indiana history,” and the extension of the Hoodlebug Trail.