Township, PennDOT to study left-turn phasing on Route 322; dual left at Baltimore Pike under review

Concord Township engineering staff told the council on Oct. 7 that they are collecting data requested by PennDOT to evaluate signal changes at two Route 322 intersections and are preparing a budget estimate for a proposed dual left-turn lane on northbound Baltimore Pike at Evergreen.

"PennDOT did get back to us, and they are amenable to looking at the phasing," the township engineer said regarding left-turn phasing on Route 322 at Evergreen and Station Fellowship. Township staff are collecting traffic data to share with PennDOT and will provide an update when analysis is complete.

At the intersection of Baltimore Pike and Evergreen, engineers said adding a second left-turn lane is physically possible, but previous hold-ups included the cost of a decorative overhead-sign mast arm (the township cited an estimated $70,000 cost for a new mast arm). The township has proposed a mast-arm extension that would match the existing decorative style as a lower-cost alternative and is obtaining quotes. Staff intend to present an overall project cost for council approval next month.

Engineers also reported continuing concerns about red-light running at 322 and said they had previously increased the all-red interval by roughly four seconds to provide an additional buffer, but crashes and speeding continue to be reported. The township will review current crash data with PennDOT to determine additional adjustments.

Council members asked staff to evaluate whether an inner left-turn lane could also be designated to allow U-turns in the same project; engineers said they would review existing signal overlaps and PennDOT regulations as part of the signal plan revision.

No final construction contract was authorized at the Oct. 7 meeting; staff will return with cost estimates and recommendations for council action.