Whether a traffic light will be installed at a hazardous intersection in West Penn Township has yet to be determined.

The township’s board of supervisors on Monday mentioned a response to a letter sent to legislators expressing concerns over the safety of the intersection at Route 309 and Route 895.

The board sent a letter Jan. 2 to state Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Jerry Knowles, saying residents were concerned with the safety of the intersection because it has been the scene of numerous crashes.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 5 Executive Michael Rebert said that the responsibility (installation and maintenance costs) for a traffic signal would belong to the local municipality.

Rebert said PennDOT would perform the study to determine if a signal is warranted if it receives a financial commitment from the township to install the light

The township needs to supply an AutoCAD drawing of the intersection. PennDOT would add the necessary traffic signal details.

PennDOT requests a traffic signal application from the township to assure the department that the municipality understands that it understands its responsibilities, Rebert said.

Once received, PennDOT would count vehicles at the intersection to determine if the signal would be warranted and inform the township of the results. The township would also have the option of conducting the warrant study itself.

Rebert said the financial commitment letter should include funds for the hiring of a design engineer for the preparation of traffic signal permit and construction plans.

“In concept, this type of project could qualify for funding as a capital project,” he said.

A project would require inclusion on the department’s 12-Year Program.

“In order to be considered for inclusion on the (12-Year Program), the project must be prioritized by the local Rural Planning Commission, which is the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, on its Transportation Improvement Program,” Rebert said.

In 2010, the township circulated a petition about this intersection in the township.

Supervisors said in that letter that with new businesses coming in, they believe the intersection will only become more of a hazard, and they would like to see a traffic signal installed to help reduce crashes at that intersection.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh said at last month’s workshop that he would rather see a realignment of the intersection instead of a light.

Supervisor Tim Houser said at that time that while he has no problem saying the township will pay for the operation and maintenance, he does have a problem with paying for the installation.

Houser said he does not believe the township should be responsible for the installation of a light on two state highways.

He suggested that the board schedule a meeting with Knowles, Argall and PennDOT.

A meeting date has not been set yet.