During a recent government meeting, officials discussed pressing safety and traffic issues along the North High Street corridor, particularly at the intersection of High and Washington Streets, which has seen a concerning number of crashes. The conversation highlighted two potential approaches to address these challenges: a comprehensive reengineering of the corridor or simpler, immediate changes.

One proposed solution involves removing parking on both sides of North High Street to enhance sight distance at the problematic intersection. Another suggestion was to alter the direction of traffic on the first block of West Washington Street to prevent vehicles from making left turns across oncoming traffic.

Council members emphasized the need for a parking study to assess usage patterns in the area, particularly since parking becomes free after 5 PM, which may attract more drivers. They also noted the importance of considering pedestrian safety, especially given the foot traffic from nearby theaters. Suggestions included adding crosswalks and improving lighting to facilitate safer crossings for pedestrians.

The discussion acknowledged that while the corridor is under the jurisdiction of PennDOT, any changes would require their approval, which could prolong the implementation of solutions. The council plans to further explore these options in committee meetings to develop a comprehensive strategy for improving safety and traffic flow in the North High Street corridor.