B&M to Upgrade Route 30 Signals

May 25, 2023

Route 30 traffic signal upgrades to improve flow

Several years ago, the state Department of Transportation upgraded the traffic lights along the Route 30 corridor so they could monitor the traffic in real time and adjust them accordingly.

Now those same traffic signals along Route 30 − as well as other roads in the greater York area − will be getting an upgrade, according to PennDOT.

The $1.2 million project is set to start this week, according to a news release.

The work includes upgrading and coordinating the traffic signal controllers along a 4-mile stretch of Route 30 from Kenneth Road in West Manchester Township to North Hills Road in Springettsbury Township.

The improvements years ago didn't make the trek across town much faster, but the modern system did provide real-time response and allow PennDOT to have eyes on the intersections at all times.

With the latest upgrade, PennDOT says it will hopefully be able to reduce the commute time. The project will tie the current signal system to the department's command and control platform, which will allow employees to track performance metrics, said Dave Thompson, a spokesman for PennDOT.

Based on the metrics, the department will be able to make timing and phasing decisions based on real time traffic patterns, he said. It also will help to manage traffic flow when a crash occurs along the corridor.

PennDOT isn't adding lanes to the corridor, "so there is only so much we can do," Thompson said in an email.

In addition to the Route 30 work, crews will be replacing 8-inch signal heads with 12-inch ones, adding backplates with reflector strips to the signal heads, and installing pedestrian countdown signals and pushbuttons that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act at the following locations:

Richland Avenue from Market Street in the City of York to Country Club Road in Spring Garden Township
Country Club Road at Grantley Road in Spring Garden Township
South George Street from Second Street/Parkway Boulevard in North York to Route 30 in Manchester Township
North George Street from Route 30 to Lightner Road in Manchester Township

The signal head upgrades will provide better visibility, and the improvements at the other locations will help pedestrians as they move through the area, Thompson said.

Traffic impacts are anticipated to be minimal at the beginning as the work will be done off of the roadway during the day, the news release states. Drivers might see short-term lane closures when crews work on the signals at night.

Bruce & Merrilees of New Castle, Pa. is doing the work.

The project is expected to be completed in January 2024.