Traffic commission defers decision on signal at NW Pennsylvania and NW 198th after sustained safety testimony

The Traffic and Transportation Commission on March 16 deferred a request for a full traffic signal at Northwest Pennsylvania Avenue and Northwest 198th Street after more than an hour of public comment about hazards to schoolchildren and neighbors.

The request, submitted to address pedestrian safety near H Heartland Middle School, drew testimony from Cara Berman, a school counselor, who said the current LED crosswalk lights and flashers “do not clearly direct drivers to stop” and that students often face limited visibility during early-morning darkness. “The crossing can give students a sense of protection while drivers may not realize a child is about to step into the road,” Berman said.

Kermit Frank, a company representative with a business at the nearby intersection, told the commission his employees reported repeated near misses after the intersection became a four-approach crossing: “We submitted a request last September for a two-way stop… Reports of near misses have continued,” Frank said, noting rapid area growth and upcoming school openings.

Staff said a complete signal-warrant analysis shows the intersection does not meet current MUTCD signalization criteria based on existing vehicle and pedestrian counts. Staff also warned that building a full signal at this location would require roadway widening — specifically a dedicated northbound left-turn lane — which would add substantial cost and extend the project timeline. “A signal would require roadway widening for a dedicated northbound left-turn lane,” staff told the commission.

Commissioners and members of the public discussed a range of alternatives. Shorter-term measures the commission asked staff to explore include adjusting school‑zone flasher timing, repainting and enhancing crosswalk visibility, requesting a street light at the corner, and determining whether a crossing guard could be funded and deployed despite jurisdictional complications (students attend an Edmond school while the crossing is in Oklahoma City). Commissioners also discussed the feasibility of a signalized midblock pedestrian crossing north of 198th — a push-button crossing similar to other midblock installations — which staff said could be materially cheaper and faster than a full intersection signal.

Commissioner George moved to defer the item to the next meeting so staff and the applicant can explore midterm and short‑term options; Commissioner Wyn seconded. The motion to defer passed and the commission instructed staff to work with the applicant on possible midblock locations, crossing-guard arrangements and lighting or pavement‑marking improvements to be returned at the April meeting.

Next steps: staff will follow up with the applicant and affected agencies to evaluate a midblock pedestrian crossing, brief the commission on crossing-guard and lighting options, and return the item to the commission in April.