Roundabout? Curb extensions? Public input sought to improve Bellefonte intersection
Changes could be coming to the diamond area of downtown Bellefonte as part of an effort to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
The diamond intersection of Allegheny and High streets was the scene of a fatal pedestrian-vehicle crash in July 2020 and other close calls, prompting discussions about how to improve pedestrian safety. While that area has seen a lower number of crashes than other intersections, Bellefonte Borough Manager Ralph Stewart said the severity of those crashes is a concern.
Now, two public hearings have been set for the Bellefonte Borough Council to gather feedback on safety improvements to the diamond.
Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and again at 10 a.m. Nov. 6, both in the Bellefonte Council chambers in the borough building, 236 W. Lamb St., Bellefonte. A short presentation will be given at the beginning of each meeting and the council will accept comments on the proposed safety improvements. Masks are required.
Stewart said that while the council does have two possible redesigns in front of them, they’re seeking any feedback on the area.
“Council has a couple options and we’re going to have some renderings of possible changes but that does not mean council is committed to those renderings,” Stewart told the Centre Daily Times. “They’re just ideas at this point.”
Pennoni Associates has been contracted by the borough to review the safety concerns at the intersection. Jason Stimmel, a senior engineer from Pennoni Associates, presented two conceptual designs to the council in August.
Currently, white plastic posts, or delineators, are on top of a white plastic curb around the diamond area that blocks off previous parking areas, Stewart said. The lining, the plastic curbing and the delineators are meant to be temporary to show people what might be a possible way to improve safety.
It could potentially eliminate approximately eight parking spaces.
“It’s basically doing curb bulb-outs to help decrease and minimize the amount of space that pedestrians have to cross through this intersection. Because it is a very wide intersection, spread out because of the High Street configuration,” Stimmel said during an August borough council work session.
The crosswalk would be relocated further to the west on High Street, adjacent to the driveway for the YMCA, he said. The idea behind that is to get as much space from the main intersection as possible, to give drivers more visualization of the crosswalk. The curbs would be extended and signage would be installed.
“We’re not changing vehicle capacity in any manner, we’re not changing anything relating to how vehicles operate through the intersection. We’re just simply creating more green space using these bulb-outs, reducing pedestrian crossing with adding the signage,” Stimmel said. “This is really driven for pedestrian safety.”
One council member pointed out that the bulb-outs would cause traffic to naturally slow because the road is narrower. That was a discussion point among the streets committee, Stimmel said, as they wanted to slow vehicle speeds down, especially from the right turn from Allegheny Street to High Street.
There is an option to remove the crosswalk that goes to the midblock island, he said. In the current renderings, it is retained, but can be removed.
A second option would be to create a roundabout. It would be a typical roundabout, Stimmel said, with a right in, and right out movements from High Street.
“The benefit here is you are substantially reducing the number of conflicts that a pedestrian would encounter.”
With the roundabout, the one-way pairs of High Street adjacent to the courthouse would become a right in and right out movement, Stimmel said.
Stimmel said the intent would be to apply for a grant to cover the cost of either of the projects. For the roundabout, the borough could apply for a $1 million grant for construction, he said, though similar projects usually range between $500,000 and $600,000. Design costs would be about $250,000.
The bulb-out option would cost around $400,000 max, including fees for design, he said.
“I think both of these are fairly valid options to help achieve the improvements you’re trying to make, both to slow down traffic and also make this a more friendly environment for pedestrians,” Stimmel told the council.
The council will accept comments and evaluate the feedback during November, Stewart said. While there isn’t a clear timeline, he said it won’t be until early 2022 that they have idea of what, if any, changes are happening. PennDOT would also need to approve any changes to the design.
For those who can’t attend either of the public meetings, comments can be made by sending a letter to the borough, 236 W. Lamb St., Bellefonte, or by emailing boro@bellefontepa.gov. The two design options are available for viewing on the borough’s website and in the council chambers during normal business hours.
