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Rapid‑flashing beacon planned at military museum crossing; residents press for West Main traffic calming
Summary
A traffic engineer told Harris Township supervisors that ARLE grant funds will provide a rapid‑flashing beacon and upgraded crosswalk at the Pennsylvania Military Museum, likely installed in early 2027; residents separately pressed for speed humps and sidewalks on West Main/Academy Street and managers said data collection is underway.
Traffic engineer Rob Watts of McCormick Taylor told the Harris Township Board on May 11 that automated‑red‑light‑enforcement (ARLE) grant funds will pay for a rapid‑flashing beacon, a new crosswalk, lighting, and curb ramps at the pedestrian crossing by the Pennsylvania Military Museum. He said right‑of‑way agreements with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and state review steps are nearly complete and that fabrication and contractor lead times likely push installation to spring 2027.
"What's going in is what we call a rapid flashing beacon, a new crosswalk, and then there'll be lighting and curb ramps on either side there to facilitate crossings," Watts said, describing the ARLE‑funded elements.
At the start of the meeting two residents urged the board to address speeding on West Main and Academy Street. One resident requested speed humps and asked that the township place the topic on a future agenda so the community could review data collection and potential remedies. Karen Conroy of Academy Street backed that request, saying she avoids walking on Main Street with her dog because of vehicle speeds.
Manager Mark and staff confirmed they have been collecting automated speed data and plan to expand counters in different locations to better capture typical speeds and volumes. The manager recommended bringing the issue back to a future meeting with Rob Watts or other traffic experts to discuss options ranging from targeted speed humps to pedestrian facilities such as sidewalks. He noted that the development currently under construction will add sidewalks in some locations but that a township capital project would be needed to complete sidewalks along the full West Main corridor.
The ARLE crossing project remains contingent on right‑of‑way approval and state reviews; Watts described a typical procurement timeline: finalize right‑of‑way, complete PennDOT design, put work out to bid, and allow six months for signal pole fabrication so that contractors can erect poles and commission the signal in late winter/early spring.
Next steps: staff will continue collecting speed and pedestrian counts, Rob Watts and the manager will return with a timeline and options for traffic calming and pedestrian improvements, and the board will consider a formal agenda item when the data and design options are available.
