The intersection of Black River Road and Rt. 378 in Lower Saucon Township, on a rainy afternoon in April 2016
Complaints about a traffic light at a busy Lower Saucon Township intersection were a subject for brief discussion at Wednesday night’s township council meeting.
A two-vehicle accident at Rt. 378 and Black River Road in Lower Saucon Township sent a woman to the hospital March 28.
Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon highlighted the complaints about the light at Black River Road and Rt. 378, which were made by area residents on social media after a story about a two-car accident at the intersection was published on Saucon Source in late March.
In their investigation of the accident, police determined a California man disregarded “Do Not Enter” signs at the gas station on the corner and exited, only to be struck by a woman who “was unable to avoid the accident.”
The woman’s vehicle then careened into a utility pole.
Police said she suffered minor injuries, for which she was treated at a local hospital.
One of the complaints expressed by residents who posted comments on Facebook is that the light for traffic turning from Black River Road onto Rt. 378 is too brief. As a result, some motorists attempt to speed through it as it’s changing to yellow or red.
The lack of turn arrows for Black River Road traffic and the proximity to the intersection of a driveway entrance on the north side (Black River Road side) of the Speedway gas station/convenience store were also cited as hazards.
Township manager Leslie Huhn said she would study the concerns and report back to council.
Both roads are state roads, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining or potentially making changes to the traffic signal.
DeLeon also highlighted another intersection of concern, which she said is Old Philadelphia Pike and Rt. 378, just south of the crest of South Mountain.
Visibility is poor for vehicles attempting to turn onto Rt. 378 from Old Philadelphia, where the roads meet at a sharp angle and traffic is often heavy.
As someone who drives through this intersection every day, it is clear that the duration of the green light for drivers on Black River Road is determined by the number of vehicles on the west side of the intersection. If there is only one vehicle there, regardless of how many vehicles are on the other side, the light will be very short. If there are many vehicles lined up to cross through the intersection heading east, the green will be much longer. It is my experience that there are often many more vehicles heading west than east, the priority of the light seems to be the reverse of what it should be.
And regardless of the timing of the light, there is the chronic problem of two timid left turning drivers, both with their signals on, staring at each other from opposite sides of the intersection, waiting for the other to go, while those behind both of them sit in frustration.
The fact that PennDoT decides how the light should operate is not good either.