Carroll Township residents attend meeting to cite dangerous road

They asked supervisors for assistance with Donora Road near Second Street extension.

A road in Carroll Township has residents worried.

During a recent meeting, two township residents asked supervisors what can be done to make Donora Road near Second Street extension more safe.

“There is just accident after accident,” Peggy Sampson said.

Supervisors said they know it can be a dangerous area, but because it’s a state-owned road, they can’t do anything without Penn-DOT’s approval.

“That being said, it’s a PennDOT roadway, so we can talk to them,” Chairman Ken Hillman said. “We have met with them regarding (Route) 837 near the highway due to accidents out there, so we can certainly discuss it with PennDOT and see what we can do.”

Sampson asked about accidents in the area in recent weeks.

Hillman said the crashes most likely are happening because there is not a stop sign for drivers coming up the hill.

“Right, and there is nothing posted that those cars don’t stop,” Sampson said.

Resident Chrissy Taylor also spoke about problems along that road.

“I live right on the corner of Donora Road on 837 at Columbia Road and there are so many accidents, and they are nearly all t-bones,” she said.

She and her husband call 911 any time they see an accident and offer to help before first responders arrive.

“We always go out and ask if anyone needs anything. My husband is certified in CPR and I should probably get re-certified,” Taylor said.

In a recent accident, a driver hit another car and fled the scene. That person was later charged following the crash, which sent another driver to the hospital.

Sampson said speed is also an issue.

“I live on Donora Road which is a speedway as it is,” she added.

Sampson said she knows it’s not something determined by the township, but thinks the 35 mph speed limit should be lowered in that residential area.

“It used to be the only road from Donora up to Monongahela, but it’s not anymore,” she said. “The highway is there. If you want to go 50 mph, get on the highway. But even that is 45 mph.”

Hillman said speed signs are being installed and traffic patrols are set to increase, not only in those areas, but throughout the township.

“We have to take a look and see, I believe PennDOT initially set that speed limit of 35 mph up there, but it’s more due to the design of the road, width and site distances but we can talk to them.”

“That would be good because it’s like you take your life into your hands walking across the street to see a neighbor,” Sampson said. “So anything we could do to slow them down.”

“All we can do is talk with them and see what we can do with PennDOT’s road,” Hillman said.

With warmer weather coming, the township will be able to paint and repaint lines on the roadways.