BOARDMAN Company hired to install traffic devices in Forest Glen

Work in the historical district will begin on phase one of the project in a few weeks.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Residents of one of the township's historical districts will be getting some relief from a long list of traffic concerns they say are dangerous and lowering their property values.
Cleveland Asphalt of Bessemer, Pa., has been hired to install "traffic calming" devices in Forest Glen at a cost of $130,450.
Trustees received two other bids to do the work, both in excess of $150,000.
Work will begin in the next few weeks. Trustee Tom Costello said streets in Forest Glen would remain open to traffic for during most of the work.
Residents have long complained to trustees about traffic conditions in the area. They say motorists use the area -- particularly Overhill Drive -- as a shortcut to avoid busy Market Street, and the increased traffic is dangerous to pedestrians and causes more accidents.
A $9,700 traffic survey was conducted late last year, with residents paying one-third of the cost and the township paying the rest. The survey resulted in a list of "traffic calming" devices that could be installed in the area.
Costello said the work will be done in phases.
Phase One
In the first phase, intersections along Overhill Drive will be raised higher than the rest of the road. Two speed bumps will be installed on Millcreek Boulevard. The project will also include anti-skid resurfacing on Overhill Drive.
"When we looked at the accidents that have occurred there, wet pavement was a factor," said Costello. "With the raised intersections we are hoping to slow people down, and the anti-skid surface will help keep them on the road. We hope this will solve a lot of the issues."
If the first phase of the project does not adequately address concerns, Costello said trustees will re-evaluate the situation and decide what else can be done. He said speed bumps may need to be added to a few other streets in the area.
The survey suggested a number of potential changes, including a change in stop sign height and the number of stop signs in the area.
It was also suggested that Overhill Drive should be remarked for 10-foot travel lanes and 7- to 8-foot parking lanes.
jgoodwin@vindy.com