Dear WCU Community,
As the Chester County region has grown, so has increased traffic on local roadways and byways. The era of growth in our region prompts a heightened focus on making the entire community safer for pedestrians and motorists.
West Chester University continues to advocate for the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to its campus. Most recently, the University improved pedestrian safety at West Rosedale Avenue and South Church Street by adding a new traffic signal, crossing lights and signage, as well as a designated crosswalk.
Of equal concern is the safety of those both driving on High Street and crossing it as pedestrians, including the many members of our University community. Over the years, the University has been in regular communication with West Chester Borough, PennDOT, and Pennsylvania officials regarding safety along High Street. Our advocacy and PennDOT’s recognition of this issue has resulted in the imminent inception of a High Street Pedestrian Improvement Project. This project will improve pedestrian safety along the High Street corridor by implementing safety enhancements aimed at reducing the occurrences of crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians. Construction will begin this fall from Miner Street to Rosedale Avenue.
As part of the PennDOT project, its contractor, Marino Corporation, will conduct tree trimming /removal operations on Tuesday, September 3, and Wednesday, September 4. For this work, Marino Corporation will need to restrict parking from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the following areas: southbound High Street from Sharpless Street to Nields Street North and southbound High Street from Union Street to Bernard Street northbound of High Street from Bernard Street to Miner Street. Parking restrictions will be removed as Marino Corporation moves through.
Of particular interest to the University community are the upcoming plans for the High Street intersections with Rosedale Avenue, plus Linden, University, Nields, and Sharpless streets. Among the improvements are:
Of particular interest to the University community are the upcoming plans for the High Street intersections with Rosedale Avenue, plus Linden, University, Nields, and Sharpless streets. Among the improvements are:
- placement of additional traffic signals at University Avenue and Sharpless Street;
- installation of a left-turn lane on northbound High Street at Sharpless Street;
- installation of a left-turn lane on southbound High Street at Nields Street;
- improvements to signage and intersection lighting;
- improvements for public transit riders that include bus shelters and
- curb extensions and ADA ramps at several intersections to reduce the time required for pedestrians to cross.
Work is being coordinated with the University to reduce the impact on traffic and pedestrians, especially during WCU’s annual and special events including Homecoming, commencements, etc. During construction, one lane of traffic along High Street will be maintained and shifted as necessary so that restrictions to traffic flow are minimized.
The University participates in regular progress meetings with the contractor, the borough and PennDOT. Campus updates will be issued as needed to inform all constituents regarding traffic pattern shifts, pedestrian crossing changes, project timing, and other factors that may impact pedestrians and motorists navigating through and around our campus.
PennDOT expects the entire project to be completed in January 2026.
Please check the WCU homepage and the Ram Report for important updates to the High Street Pedestrian Improvement Project.
Learn more about the High Street Corridor Study, from which these improvements were developed.
Please see the attached media release from PennDot
Sincerely,
Zebulun R. Davenport, Ed.D.
Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs
Todd E. Murphy
Vice President for Finance and Administration
PennDOT Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Krys Johnson, krysjohnso@pa.gov
PennDOT to Begin Business U.S. 322 (High Street) Safety Improvement Project in West Chester Borough
King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that construction is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 3, for a project to improve safety at the intersections along the Business U.S. 322 (High Street) corridor in West Chester Borough and West Goshen Township, Chester County.
Under this contract, PennDOT's contractor will install new traffic signals at University Avenue and Sharpless Street and provide signal support and related equipment. The project will consist of the installation of retroreflective backplates on existing signals, modern LED luminaries, pedestrian countdown timers at signalized intersections, curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, drainage improvements, and comprehensive full-depth pavement restoration, culminating in a complete roadway resurfacing.
This project includes the intersections of Rosedale Avenue, Linden Street, University Avenue, Nields Street, Sharpless Street, Lacey Street, Route 52 (Price Street), Magnolia Street, Dean Street, Union Street, Barnard Street, and Route 842 (Miner Street).
This project aims to improve the efficiency of intersections for the traveling public via vehicular and pedestrian means and to reduce the occurrence of crashes involving vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Beginning Tuesday, September 3, through Friday, September 6, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, periodic lane closures are scheduled on Business U.S. 322 (High Street) between Rosedale Avenue and Route 842 (Miner Street) for tree removal operations.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near and through the work area because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
Marino Corporation of Skippack, Pennsylvania, is the general contractor on the $2,619,998 project which is financed with 100 percent federal funds. Physical construction on the project is expected to finish in winter 2026.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.