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City presents Hampton Boulevard traffic-calming concepts after recent fatalities
Summary
City engineers presented conceptual traffic-calming plans for Hampton Boulevard — bumpouts, a road diet/median, raised crossings and speed cushions/rumble options — intended to reduce speeds after several recent fatalities. Staff will develop cost estimates and pursue grant and PennDOT coordination.
The planning commission heard conceptual traffic-calming plans for Hampton Boulevard following a string of recent fatalities on that corridor.
Don (public works/engineering) described conceptual elements prepared by the city’s engineer: intersection bumpouts (which can double as rain gardens), a road diet or median along certain segments, raised crossings and speed-cushion/rumble options. He said narrowing and bumpouts are expected to have the greatest effect on vehicle speeds and that bumpouts offer pedestrian-safety benefits.
Commissioners asked technical and jurisdictional questions: which features qualify under state liquid-fuels rules (speed humps/humps limitations on roads with posted speeds greater than 25 mph), how speed cushions differ from existing speed tables, and whether PennDOT approval will be required for midblock crossings. Staff acknowledged that speed bumps are not allowed on roads with liquid-fuels funding and that some measures (midblock crossings, certain vertical treatments) would require PennDOT review and approval. The group also discussed cameras and enforcement; police said citations had not fully deterred speeding.
Don said conceptual plans cover 11 corridors and that Hampton Boulevard was prioritized because of recent safety incidents. Staff will compile cost estimates and circulate the full set of conceptual plans to commissioners; the city expects to pursue grants and PennDOT coordination during design.
