Busy Harrison intersection eyed for safety upgrades

The Harrison commissioners are eyeing major safety upgrades for a busy Freeport Road intersection.

Township Manager John Pallone will apply for $2 million in the coming weeks through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund to redo the five-way intersection of Freeport and Springhill roads and Broadview Boulevard near the Harrison Hi-Rise.

He hopes to be awarded the total amount, which is expected to cover the scope of the work.

“If the township is fortunate enough to have the grant funded, we will be able to significantly improve the safety and access for residents who cross there,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said.

“The traffic signals are terribly out of date, and crosswalks are poorly marked.”

It results in confusion for traffic and unsafe passage for pedestrians, people in wheelchairs and children on bikes, he said.

Grants are made available through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Money can be used for a variety of projects from sidewalk enhancement to pedestrian safety.

Pallone said the footprint of the intersection will not change.

“Money will be used to improve the signal, itself, and improve overall safety at the confluence of those five different roads, but we’re not changing the configuration,” he said.

Wheelchair-accessible crossings will be added so residents of the high-rise can more safely cross to the Heights Plaza Shopping Center or toward McDonald’s. Work will keep in mind the recent addition of a bike lane along Springhill Road and improve ramps there, too.

Pallone said the desire to improve the hectic intersection isn’t new.

“The township has applied for the grant in the past, but there’s only so much money in the pot,” he said.