Officials need to make Elco Hill safer

COULD INCREASED SAFETY measures finally be coming to the dangerous Elco Hill intersection in Long Branch?

While the Washington County riverside communities of Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale and Allenport may be small based on population, there is plenty of traffic along Route 88 and off of the Mon/Fayette Expressway and Interstate 70. Many motorists use Elco Hill to get off the major highways or as a shortcut home.

Local folks know the intersection at the top of the hill overlooking the Monongahela River has been the site of many crashes — some fatal— over the years, so they travel with caution, yet the accidents haven’t stopped.

To warn motorists, the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Co. sign blinks in bright red to catch the attention of passing drivers. It shares a blunt but important message, warning drivers of the dangerous intersection at the top of the hill where Dally Road meets Route 88: “Dangerous Intersection Top of Elco Hill: Here’s your warning since no one will fix it.”

PennDOT hasn’t turned a blind eye to the situation. In 2022, to help drivers be more aware, Penn-DOT replaced “Intersection ahead” signs on both approaches to Dally Road and moved back stop signs to allow them to be more visible to oncoming traffic. A new “stop sign ahead” sign was installed on the southbound approach to Dally Road, and dotted extension lines were added to Elco Hill Road so the intersection is more visible to drivers approaching from Dally Road.

Brush was also trimmed, but accidents have continued to happen at the intersection.

“PennDOT agreed to put flashing lights, but they wanted us to pay for it, to you know maintain them, and we have no bucket truck, we just don’t have the resources for that,” Long Branch Councilman Bill Nutt said. “So that’s what the holdup was.”

If the plan is approved, rumble strips will be added to the intersection on both sides, from each direction.

Will the rumble strips make a difference?

It’s worth a shot.

We know public officials across the country are grappling with repeated crashes at dangerous intersections. Constituents grow increasingly frustrated, demanding safer streets, and it’s heartbreaking to witness people being put in danger while simply trying to live their lives.

We understand that traffic studies and engineering are involved in making changes of this sort. But we hope PennDOT is listening and considering safety improvements to this intersection.