West Penn Township does not meet the criteria to have a traffic light installed at a dicey intersection.

Supervisors’ Chairman Tony Prudenti on Monday said township officials recently met with state Department of Transportation officials, along with state Rep. Jerry Knowles and a representative from state Sen. David Argall’s office, to discuss the potential installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Route 309 and Route 895.

However, Prudenti said that PennDOT told the township it can’t put a light at the intersection because it doesn’t qualify.

“PennDOT was very sympathetic to our cause,” Prudenti said.

Several options that were discussed included two flashing warning signs — one for each direction — at a cost of $25,000. Another option was a red and yellow beacon at the intersection at a cost of $26,000.

Prudenti said that basically the township was looking at a cost of around $25,000. Right now, Prudenti said the township doesn’t have money in the budget to pay for it.

Supervisor Tim Houser said there was “very good discussion.”

Additional signs

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 5 Executive Michael Rebert said this morning the intersection “is not even close to meeting the warrant for a traffic signal.”

“The traffic counts are probably half of what they need to be,” Rebert said.

Rebert said PennDOT’s traffic unit will be reviewing the intersection to see what can be done with possible additional signs and pavement markings.

“I think we had a good meeting with the township,” he said.

Ultimately, the responsibility (installation and maintenance costs) for a traffic signal would belong to the township, Rebert said.

Last month, supervisors mentioned a response to a letter sent to legislators expressing concerns over the safety of the intersection.

The board sent a letter Jan. 2 to Argall and Knowles, saying residents were concerned with the safety of the intersection because it has been the scene of numerous crashes.

In 2010, the township circulated a petition about this intersection in the township.

Supervisors said in that letter that with new businesses coming in, they believe the intersection will only become more of a hazard, and they would like to see a traffic signal installed to help reduce crashes at that intersection.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh said in January that he would rather see a realignment of the intersection instead of a light.

Houser said at that time that while he has no problem saying the township will pay for the operation and maintenance, he does have a problem with paying for the installation, and that he does not believe the township should be responsible for the installation of a light on two state highways.