PennDOT to study problematic stretch of Greensburg Road in Upper Burrell

PennDOT officials announced Tuesday they will begin a traffic study on a stretch of Greensburg Road in Upper Burrell that has drawn ire from community members.

Agency spokeswoman Laina Aquiline said PennDOT is reviewing Upper Burrell’s request for a traffic study in the 2200 block of Greensburg Road and anticipates starting the study this week. Traffic studies look at road safety, volume and crash data.

The study will evaluate whether a speed reduction is warranted, Aquiline said. The speed limit in that area is 55 mph. Residents in the area are pushing for a reduction to 45 mph because of safety concerns.

In some areas of Greensburg Road, the speed limit already is 45 mph.

PennDOT anticipates the study to be completed by the end of next week, Aquiline said. Once finished, PennDOT will provide the results to the township.

The study is being done at no cost to the township, Aquiline said.

There will be no traffic impacts, closures or restrictions to motorists during the duration of the study, she said.

Greensburg Road, or Route 366, is a state road. Before PennDOT considers adjusting a speed limit or reconfiguring a traffic design on a state road, municipalities must first request a traffic study.

State Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, said she received a call regarding the safety of the road and worked with local leaders to initiate the traffic study process.

“We take the safety of the roads very seriously,” she said. “We work in tandem with the local municipalities. We make sure we’re aware of what they’re doing.”

Cooper said the township had requested a traffic study in January. A 2015 study determined the 55 mph limit was valid.

Residents have said an increase in traffic and speeding has made the road more dangerous — there were 14 reportable crashes in the area from 2019 to 2023, according to PennDOT.

Residents also would like to see an increase in police presence to combat speeding. A state police spokesman was not immediately able to provide information regarding numbers of speeding tickets written in the area.

Cooper said there is legislation in the House and Senate that would allow local police officers to use radar to enforce speed limits, if they so choose. She said she is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“I find all my local municipalities, boroughs and townships, they want that ability to slow people down by using radar,” Cooper said.