Mt. Lebanon To Install Neighborhood Traffic Controls

Some Mt. Lebanon roads will be a bit quieter this summer. Commissioners voted, 5-0, last night to authorize the installation of traffic-calming devices in the notoriously busy corridor of Mapleton Avenue and surrounding streets. Drivers often use these residential roads to avoid the traffic lights along Cochran Road and Route 19, known as Washington Road in that area.

For weeks, residents have spoken at meetings in support of traffic calming. Resident Elizabeth Rangel said last night that homeowners often park on the street instead of their driveways in the daytime to discourage drivers from tearing through the neighborhood. Nonetheless, she said, she has twice had her driver's side mirror sheared off.

Other options studied earlier this winter included street closings at certain times of the day, but ultimately, it was decided that the installation of asphalt speed humps, concrete rumble strips and traffic markings would be sufficient.

The construction company of Peter J. Caruso and Sons, which submitted a bid of $11,110, was awarded the contract.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09083/957884-100.stm

Studying Speed Bumps In Mapleton Corridor

Commissioners decided Monday to have engineers pursue further study of the installation of speed humps in the Mapleton corridor. This was the mildest of three options considered; others included adding no-turn signs and diverting traffic.

"The majority of the commission approved what we considered to be the less restrictive measure," Commissioner Dan Miller said. "I was just pleased we've made some progress in this. It's a very difficult and sensitive issue."

The commission also agreed to re-evaluate a traffic calming policy that had been established four years ago.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09057/951708-55.stm