New Traffic Light to Be Installed on Westerly Parkway Near High School

A new traffic light soon will be installed on Westerly Parkway, creating a four-way intersection at the entrance to State College Area High School.

State College Area School Board this week approved the purchase and installation of the traffic light at a cost of $242,870.30. The cost of the traffic light was included in the State High project’s added contingency budget for up to $300,000.

Wyoming Electric & Signal, Inc., of Wyoming, Pa., was low bidder for the project.

A traffic study was conducted as part of planning for the phased construction of the new high school on the south and north sides of Westerly Parkway. The study found a signalized intersection would be a necessary traffic improvement. The intersection will connect Logan Avenue, which currently runs behind the north side of the high school campus, to Westerly Parkway.

‘The light is intended to facilitate traffic flow and protect pedestrians at what will become a four-way intersection when Logan Avenue is extended to Westerly Parkway,’ district spokesman Chris Rosenblum said.

State College Borough will install the light and the district will reimburse the borough for the cost. The borough will then take over responsibility for operation and maintenance of the traffic light.

Ed Poprik, district director of physical plant, said work will begin in July and the traffic light is expected to be operational in October.

The new State High South Building opened in January, bringing all four grades into the same facility. A major portion of the North Building has been demolished for new construction, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.