Aspinwall eyes safety improvements for Freeport Road

Aspinwall council hopes to implement safety initiatives along Freeport Road in 2021 that could include upgraded bus shelters, bike sharrows and increased parking.

The plan would follow some of the many recommendations derived from a 2019 TranSystems study, paid for by a near $13,000 grant from Allegheny County.

The list of recommendations was so extensive that it outweighs council’s ability to implement them all, but board president Tim McLaughlin asked for a list that is doable in spring.

“I’d like to see the things that are most possible to do when the weather gets nice,” McLaughlin said.

Among the slew of safety suggestions from the consultants were several simple fixes like line painting, which could be performed as soon as the weather breaks.

More extensive projects like trail links will take time and money.

Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley said the borough will advertise for a request for proposals from consultants to help implement the project.

She also will apply for a grant to help pay for some of the work.

Council in 2019 hired TranSystems to study the corridor and its opportunities for walkers, riders and those who take mass transit.

The goal is to improve safety for everyone that uses the road that stretches the length of town.

A special look will be given to improving or adding crosswalks, upgrading sidewalks and increasing links to walking/biking trails.

O’Malley said the borough will need PennDOT to sign off since it is a state-owned road.