JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Communities in southwest Butler County are coming together to make roads safer with a new plan that targets some key roads.
Four communities in Butler County have joined together to work on different road safety projects.
One of those projects would be to add an intersection at Lutz Road and Route 19.
People who live and work in these areas say these projects would make the streets a lot safer.
A new study in Butler County shows that between 2019 and 2023, there were more than 1,700 crashes or pedestrian accidents in four communities: Zelienople Borough, Cranberry, Harmony and Jackson Townships.
Mike Meredith’s family owns Meredith’s Batteries right on Route 19 near Lutz Road, which was identified as one of the most likely spots for crashes.
“We’ve been in here in this location for 36 years and we have seen many, many horrible accidents over the years,” Meredith said.
Just yesterday, he saw two cars pull next to each other, beep their horns, and race down Route 19.
“With all the housing communities and stuff that are going in down the road, there’s a lot more people pulling out onto the road with these people doing 100 miles an hour,” Meredith said.
The spot is one of five priority projects the new Southwest Butler multi-municipal safety action plan says can be made safer.
The proposal would put in a four-way intersection.
There are other proposals for the intersection of Gudekunst Road and Route 19, a roundabout at Steeb and Zehner School Roads, a roundabout at Evans City Road and Main Street in Harmony, a pedestrian-centered living street on Main and Mercer, and other pedestrian enhancements along Route 68 in Zelienople and Powell Road in Cranberry.
Now the four communities need funding for these projects, estimated to cost $49 million.
They’re working to secure grant money.
Meredith thinks the changes will be worth it.
“We’re always inconvenienced by a stoplight, it seems, but I think the safety far outweighs the inconvenience. The proof is in the pudding; we’ve seen it time and time again,” Meredith said.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW