Public can weigh in on PennDOT plans for Route 356 roundabout

A busy Route 356 intersection in Allegheny Township will get a complete overhaul next year that is expected to increase traffic flow and safety.

The public can weigh in on PennDOT’s plans to build a roundabout at Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road, where nearly 11,000 vehicles travel each day.

The cost is expected to be $5 million to $7 million.

The designs are available online through November.

People can review the plans and submit comments. The page is available through Nov. 30 at the PennDOT District 12 website, PennDOT.pa.gov/District12, under the public meetings link.

Project Manager Joshua Zakovitch said the one-way circular design is an upgrade from the current T-intersection.

“Roundabouts reduce crash severity over standard stop or signal-controlled intersections,” Zakovitch said. “Roundabouts also may be installed to improve traffic flow.

“PennDOT and Allegheny Township look to improve these two issues at this location.”

Work is expected to begin in the summer and last through fall 2024.

Township Manager Greg Primm said officials believe the new traffic control system will benefit motorists. There have been several accidents in the area, which he called oddly configured.

“A number of years ago, we had PennDOT officials out to look at it because we felt that something needed to be done,” Primm said. “We thought we at least needed a stop sign.”

For people pulling out from La Belle Vue Road, there is no stop sign.

“People coming from the Dairy Queen, if they don’t use a signal, it would indicate they’re going straight and other people pull out in front of them,” he said.

The project is in its final stages of preliminary design.

Melissa Maczko, PennDOT safety press officer, said the purpose of the online plans is to introduce the project and gather public input, questions and concerns.

Work also includes replacing the bridge over Pine Run, between the intersection of Route 356 and Hyde Park Road and the intersection of Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road.

Crews also will realign the intersection approaches, improve drainage and update guardrails, pavement markings and signs.

Motorists will be detoured but not for the entire length of the project, Zakovitch said. The detour will be in effect only when crews are replacing the bridge and part of the roundabout.

The suggested route is to use Hyde Park Road, Route 56, Route 66 and Route 356.

“These roundabouts seem to work well, and, in that particular area, it looks like it will increase safety,” Primm said.