Dangerous intersection to get new signs

An intersection deemed dangerous by Summit Hill officials will be getting some attention from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The intersection is at White Bear Drive and Laurel Drive (Route 902) and has been the scene of numerous serious accidents, including fatalities.

William O’Gurek, a member of Summit Hill Borough Council, said PennDOT will add larger stop signs and move some existing signs leading to the intersection.

O’Gurek said PennDOT officials met with local officials and agreed to the changes, which are expected to be made in the near future.

Local representatives at the meeting were O’Gurek, borough council President Michael Kokinda, borough secretary/treasurer Kira Steber, Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr., and state Rep. Jerry Knowles.

O’Gurek said PennDOT will replace the existing 30-inch stop signs with 36-inch signs.

It also will trim some brush in the vicinity of the intersection.

Borough resident Joseph Bohovich said there is also a problem of water freezing in the road at the intersection and he is hoping PennDOT can look into this, too.

The matter of the dangerous intersection was raised at the October meeting of the town council by borough resident Tom Tkach.

Tkach mentioned that terrible accidents — including fatalities — have occurred here and asked,

“Has anyone contacted PennDOT regarding the situation there.”

He felt a traffic signal should be placed there, but PennDOT didn’t mention in the meeting about installing a light.

One reason likely would be that Route 902 coming east is a steep, curvy hill.

At the October meeting, Fittos agreed to contact PennDOT.

The most recent serious crash happened several months ago in which a car was T-boned and an elderly Summit Hill man was critically injured.

Fittos said charges are pending in that crash.