Expect Better Sight Lines at Intersections

Motorists and pedestrians will get better sight lines at new intersections of public streets in South Whitehall Township thanks to a new ordinance passed last week.

The board of commissioners passed an ordinance that revised the township standards on clear-sight triangles, or intersections, so that it is similar to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's standard on controlled intersections.

The changes are also intended to alleviate the impact on some property owners, according to Gerald Harbison, manager of community development.

Harbison said motorists stop 10 feet from a stop sign at a controlled intersection and look left and right.

"Our ordinance doesn't account for that line of sight, so you're really establishing a good sight line with a controlled stop sign."

Tony Ganguzza, director of administration, said the ordinance will change the lenght of centerlines from 75 feet from the intersection to about 25 feet, among other changes.

Glenn Block wanted to know if changing the ordinance required the township to notify its insurance carrier and if it would change its liability rates.

Solicitor Joseph Zator said he did not believe it would affect the township's liability because it enhances public safety.

Zator said municipalities also have "sovereign immunity" as a defense, meaning governments can't be sued, unless they allowed an unsafe condition to exist and ignored it.