Traffic restrictions changed near Oakmont Bakery
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Oakmont officials have temporarily changed traffic restrictions at the Third Street and Hulton Road intersection by the Oakmont Bakery and Speedway.
Restrictions the past few years were right turn only from 7 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Sundays had no restrictions.
Police also set up barriers during Riverview Junior-Senior High School student arrival and dismissal times to prevent motorists from turning right onto Third Street from Hulton Road.
As of June 8, traffic flow is restricted to right turn only onto Hulton Road from Third Street both north and south, regardless of the time of day.
It is part of a 90-day trial authorized by the borough. Council plans to have a public hearing after the trial before considering an ordinance to make right turns only permanent.
“That is a constantly active intersection,” police Chief Michael Ford said June 13. “We’re trying to improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicles.”
Ford said there have been numerous accidents at the intersection, with an overwhelming majority caused by people turning left or trying to go straight across the state road.
“That’s probably our highest-accident intersection,” Ford said. An officer will be monitoring the intersection as manpower permits, and several warnings have been issued since the restriction change, according to the chief.
One person who said he received no warning about the restriction change is Oakmont Bakery owner Marc Serrao.
“We had no idea it was being discussed until the signs were installed in front of our property,” he said.
It has been about three-and-a-half years since the bakery moved operations from Allegheny Avenue to Third Street across from the junior-senior high school.
Traffic and safety were a concern then, but after multiple traffic studies, state Department of Transportation officials determined a traffic light was not warranted.
Serrao said he can recall at least three accidents at the intersection since opening in which pedestrians were seriously injured. He plans to contact PennDOT and push for a traffic light.
Oakmont Mayor Sophia Facaros recalled conversations about a traffic light almost a decade ago.
“As a member of council years ago when Speedway was built, money was set aside to install a light at that intersection,” she said via email. “However, PennDOT did not approve the installation of a light due to one at Sheetz (along Hulton Road) and one at Allegheny Avenue. Therefore, flashing lights were installed with the hope traffic would stop when a child was trying to cross Hulton.”
The flashing lights Facaros mentioned can be activated on either side of the road by pedestrians wishing to cross Hulton Road.
Serrao said he does not believe they are enough to stop motorists from speeding past the businesses, and he is not in favor of the right-turn-only restrictions.
“The crossing lights installed last year have not worked out well, in my opinion,” Serrao said. “Very often, the lights flash and cars fly through the intersection, anyway. I believe it’s actually more dangerous because the pedestrians are more confident crossing Hulton when the lights are flashing.”
PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said via email June 14 that he spoke with traffic engineer Todd Kravits, who told him studies show the Third Street and Hulton Road intersection does not meet requirements to install a traffic light.
Kravits reported installing a light there would also cause a bottleneck and gridlock because of the existing signals at Allegheny River Boulevard and Allegheny Avenue.
A new signal would negate the improvements gained by the Hulton Bridge replacement years ago and revert traffic congestion to its previous incarnation with one lane in both directions, according to PennDOT.
Oakmont Bakery draws about 1,200 people on any given weekday and 2,500 people on weekends. Signage at the bakery instructed motorists to turn left to Archie Street and left to Allegheny Avenue to access the Hulton Bridge.
The bakery also had signs with the aforementioned timed turning restrictions. New signage may have to be installed at the bakery as a result of the 90-day trial.
“The traffic we draw is not new to the town,” Serrao said. “We support our town and our local officials. Our customers travel from near and far to experience our business. We are committed to make their experience as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“Sending them on a trek around the block to sit at an already very backed up light on Allegheny Avenue does not seem like a good way to welcome visitors to our town.”