Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation‑safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Chester council for pedestrian safety on Route 291; staff cites PennDOT and traffic‑calming plans
Summary
During public comment at the Jan. 8 council meeting, residents urged action to make Route 291 safer for pedestrians and children; city staff and councilors said PennDOT controls the highway but described planned traffic‑calming measures and promised follow‑up.
Residents who live along Route 291 told the Chester City Council on Jan. 8 that speeding and limited pedestrian crossing opportunities created safety risks for neighbors and children. Council members and city staff acknowledged the complaints and outlined steps being pursued with PennDOT and county planners.
Bonnie Waits (public comment) said that people live on both sides of Route 291 and that residents need safer pedestrian crossings between Ward Street and Highland Avenue; she described children who must cross the highway. The resident said speeders frequently travel well above the posted 35 mph limit.
City staff and councilors said their ability to place signage or make immediate changes on 291 is limited because Route 291 is a PennDOT‑managed highway. Andrew (city staff) told the council he has been in communication with PennDOT and promised to follow up and provide council and the speaker with updates: “I will come by, personally. And I’ll make sure to communicate with council and mayor, when I get updates from PennDOT about exactly what’s going to be done and when.”
Mayor Ruth and other council members described longer‑term planned work coordinated with PennDOT and the county planning office: a traffic light at the Jeffrey Street/291 off‑ramp is planned, a “road diet” and re‑striping are under study to slow traffic and create safer access for residents, and medians are expected to be installed in locations where left turns have caused accidents. Mayor Ruth said some of the trail and roadway work that connects to the waterfront and Highland Avenue is expected to be completed by 2026.
Councilor Green, who said he lives on 291, urged residents to raise their concerns to increase attention from PennDOT and promised ongoing communication: “As a resident, I understand wholeheartedly where you're coming from… I plan to do my job and do my due diligence to communicate and work with Mister Hayman.” (Councilor Green used this meeting to pledge follow‑up with PennDOT contacts and city staff.)
Officials encouraged community members to attend future meetings and to notify city staff about specific crossing locations. Staff said any physical changes on Route 291 will be coordinated with PennDOT and could require planning, design and construction timelines beyond the council’s immediate control.
No formal council action was taken at the meeting; councilors recorded the concerns and directed staff to pursue updated information from PennDOT and return to council with specifics.
