Local

Target 11 works to get change on dangerous driving situation

SQUIRREL HILL, Pa. — A Target 11 investigation recently revealed a major safety issue on a busy local road, and now Rick Earle is working to get it fixed.

Earle uncovered a problem that got drivers confused, and sometimes even got vehicles going the wrong way.

PennDOT is doing construction on an on-ramp on the Parkway East, and has installed signs to alert drivers. However, that may not be enough.

Our Channel 11 cameras were rolling as drivers wound up in very dangerous situations at the intersection of Forward Avenue and Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill.

Earle reported drivers, despite plenty of one-way warning signs, are making a right hand turn and going the opposite direction of traffic.

“We believe it is very clearly marked that even if anybody is misdirected to this area by their GPS, surely they wouldn’t make an incorrect turn here,” said PennDOT District 11 Supervisor Dan Cessna.

Neighbors initially reported a few close calls, so PennDOT installed the signs and cut the weeds and brush around the others to make them even more visible.

However, while working on the story, Earle saw at least three cars in one hour go the wrong way on the one-way.

Neighbors who live in the area told Earle there has been confusion for years. They said it’s gotten worse with the closing of the Parkway ramp to fix the bridge.

“They’re in a hurry and they don’t know which way to go. They think there should be something west but there’s nothing,” said Jay Pearlstein.

Pearlstein told Earle he’s lived across from the intersection for 27 years and he sees about five drivers per day go the wrong way.

In light of Earle’s report, Channel 11 News reached out to PennDOT again and they said they’re talking with the city about putting down pavement markings in hopes of making it even more clear.