Whitpain Supervisors Hold Off Vote on Stop Signs

Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors considered an ordinance that amends township code to permit stop signs on Yost Rd. at Cortez Rd. and on Wentz Rd. at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Plowshare Rd.

It also adds stop signs at 21 other intersections in developments throughout the township where stop signs would have been placed when the development was built, many are T-intersections where cul-de-sacs exit to a road.

"[We take a] very analytic approach to assessing the particular…intersections in question," said Joseph Palmer, chairman of the Board.

Jim Blache, the Township Engineer, said the township became aware of both the Wentz Rd. intersection and the Yost Rd. intersection from residents.

At Cortez and Yost, the motivating factor was the lack of sight distance both on Yost Rd. and on Cortez Rd.; as well as the vehicle volume, and the vehicle movement at the intersections.

Currently, Cortez Rd. has a stop sign, however, proposed is to add stop signs on Yost Rd. in both directions, as well as adding an additional stop sign, a new "curve ahead" sign with the speed limit, a flashing "stop ahead" sign and more.

At Yost Rd. and Cortex, there have been no reported accidents in the past five years.

At Wentz Rd. and Cherry Ln./Plowshare Rd. there have been 14 reportable accidents in the past five years, which has doubled over the previous five years. Blanche said many of the accidents were angled or T-bone accidents.

Blanche continued that the stop signs on Wentz should improve the flow on the side roads, however, he said it may slightly impact the flow on Wentz.

The Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors chose to hold off voting on the ordinance amendment until their Oct. 16 meeting.