West Penn official suggests widening Blue Mountain Drive

A West Penn supervisor has suggested widening Blue Mountain Drive and making three lanes to address problems caused by truck traffic.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh made the suggestion at Monday’s board of supervisors meeting held at the West Penn Township Fire Company.

Bogosh said residents complained that trucks exiting Blue Mountain Drive south onto Route 309 block the entire road, forcing vehicles on 309 to wait until trucks make the turn, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision on 309.

“By increasing Blue Mountain Drive to three lanes at 309, trucks entering onto 309 south would not block the entrance of Blue Mountain Drive from 309, and could enter 309 south without entering the 309 north lane,” Bogosh said.

Bogosh said the current apron is 62 feet across, and the three lanes (42 feet across) would extend back 100 feet, then merge to two lanes.

“The southern lane of Blue Mountain Drive would be restricted of traffic to allow the trailer room for the turn and a 6-foot area between the entrance and exit lane would provide a margin of safety,” he said.

Bogosh said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would need to widen the apron.

Supervisor Tim Houser asked whether anything the township would do concerning 309 would need to get PennDOT involved.

Board solicitor Paul J. Datte confirmed Penn-DOT would need to be involved.

Bogosh said the township’s engineer is looking into the costs.

“The land acquisition would be through Mr. (Curtis) Bailey, and he has already agreed to let that happen,” Bogosh said.

Houser said he understood, but added, “I don’t know if it’s going to solve the problem.”

Regardless, Bogosh said it’s “something that has potential.”

Resident Matt Bailey said crashes have occurred on Blue Mountain Drive.

Bailey suggested a way to reduce the chances of a rear-end collision in the north lane when a vehicle stops to turn left onto Blue Mountain Drive.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti told Bailey that something similar has been considered.

Supervisors did not take any action on the suggestions.