It could be summer by the time the traffic light at the Route 356 and 56 split in Allegheny Township is replaced, officials said.
A wreck at the intersection Dec. 20 took down the traffic light, and since then, stop signs have been put up in its place.
Allegheny Township Supervisors Chairman Jamie Morabito said he was told by PennDOT that it would take up to six months to repair the light.
PennDOT and Allegheny Township each pointed to the other when asked who should fix the light.
PennDOT spokeswoman Melissa Maczko said traffic signals are owned and maintained by their municipality.
“This would be a question for Allegheny Township, as they are the entity responsible for the light to be reconstructed,” she said.
But Morabito questioned that, given that Routes 356 and 56 are state roads.
“They never told us it is our responsibility,” Morabito said. “We would have to have something from PennDOT in writing that they are not going to help us.”
Morabito said it was his understanding that maintenance for things like lights and traffic cameras is the township’s responsibility, but not to erect the light.
He said a directional sign under the light was smashed by a wreck months ago and that still has not been addressed.
“I know phone calls have been made to them about that, and it still has not been fixed,” Morabito said.
Morabito said that, if the township gets confirmation that it has the responsibility to fix the light, he will look into getting the light repaired.
If replacement does fall to the township, Morabito said it could be fixed faster than six months.
“We will look into resources we have and what we need to do with our solicitor also, being that it is a state highway,” he said.
