First roundabout in Alle-Kiski Valley aims to decrease vehicle crashes in Allegheny Township

A newly completed roundabout is operating smoothly in Allegheny Township, officials say.

The roundabout, the first of its kind in the Alle-Kiski Valley, is at the intersection of Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road.

A roundabout is a one-way type of circular intersection that does not require vehicles to stop before entering the intersection.

Its intent is to offer improved safety with fewer conflict points and slower speeds — all while traffic keeps flowing.

It will be a three-way loop when completed, but La Belle Vue Road, from Stacy Way to Route 356, remains closed through early November.

Township Supervisor John Rennick “Ren” Steele was instrumental in spearheading efforts with PennDOT to make the roundabout a reality.

“The intersection had most of our reported accidents every year,” Steele said. “Something had to be done. Although the project is not quite finished, I believe that it will improve the safety of drivers in our township.”

According to PennDOT, roundabouts significantly reduce head-on and “T-bone” crashes, decrease traffic congestion because there’s a constant flow of traffic, and improve bicycle and pedestrian crossing.

And, says PennDOT, they’re just better looking than traditional intersections and don’t have expensive traffic lights.

“Roundabouts are considered a safety countermeasure due to their ability to substantially reduce the types of crashes that result in injury or loss of life,” said PennDOT press officer Laina Aquiline.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 40% of vehicle crashes occur at intersections.

The average daily traffic at the Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road intersection is more than 14,000 vehicles, according to Aquiline.

Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher said Wednesday that motorists appear to be navigating the roundabout without incident.

“So far no issues. More and more people are coming forward, slowly but surely, in support of the roundabout,” Fisher said. “The science is there that shows they reduce the quantity and the severity of crashes.”

Fisher stressed the roundabout should help to reduce vehicle crashes that have historically occurred at the intersection.

“It’s been a serious crash location for us, and this roundabout should provide an 80% reduction in both the quantity and severity of the crashes here,” Fisher said.

The roundabout lacks any speed limit signage, but the chief advises motorists to use common sense while navigating the single-lane roundabout. He recommended a speed of 15-20 mph.

Fisher reminded motorists that vehicles inside the circle always have the right of way, with entering traffic yielding to circulating traffic.

A red brick “skirt” inner ring inside the roundabout can allow larger, oversized vehicles room for navigating the circle. It’s not for parking or other vehicle traffic to drive on, Fisher said.

Supervisor James Morabito said the roundabout in the township is a first step in finding a solution to the problematic intersection.

“I feel this roundabout will solve traffic problems that we’ve had for many years, but this solution is going to take close to another year with phase 2,” (of the Route 356 reconstruction project) Morabito said.

Supervisor Michael Korns said it appears useage of the roundabout has been “going pretty well.”

But there have been concerns dating to November about traffic exiting the roundabout and coming to the intersection at Hyde Park and Melwood roads, he said.

“PennDOT believes that a left-turn holding lane will prevent backups there and into the roundabout,” Korns said. “Unfortunately, the holding lane will not be in place until next year, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on that situation.”

A lack of lighting is an issue the township is trying to address.

“We have a concern with a lack of illumination there until next December or January,” Korns said. “We’re working with PennDOT and West Penn Power to find a temporary solution to that problem.”

According to PennDOT, roundabouts typically carry about 30% more vehicles than similarly sized intersections with traffic signals.

The total price of the project is $7.7 million, and the primary contractor is Ligonier Construction Co.

Although a first for the Alle-Kiski Valley, there’s been one on the outskirts of Saxonburg for a number of years.

The Allegheny Township’s roundabout joins several others operating in Westmoreland County:

• Three in New Stanton — on either side of Interstate 70, and another nearby;

• One by Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity;

• One at the Routes 981/819 intersection in Mt. Pleasant;

• One at Monastery Drive and Beatty County Road in Unity, next to Saint Vincent College.

More are coming, as four roundabouts are under construction and three are in the design phase, including two planned as part of the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project, both in Mt. Pleasant Township.

One will be at Hecla Road, State Street and Route 981, near Mt. Pleasant Area High School. Another will be at Mt. Pleasant, Kecksburg and Hecla roads and Route 981, all of which converge in Norvelt.

The first modern U.S. roundabouts were built in 1990 in Nevada.

To date, more than 7,000 roundabouts exist nationwide, according to a database compiled by transportation firm Kittelson & Associates Inc.

In America, a roundabout may be also be called a traffic circle, and some places in the Northeast, a rotary.