Safety at a dangerous intersection was a topic of discussion in the wake of three fatalities in West Penn Township in less than a week.

Resident Larry Stival pushed for safety efforts at the township’s board of supervisors this week.

Stival said on the west side of Route 895, by the St. Luke’s Urgent Care, the doubled lines stop about 20 feet before 309. On the other side, the line goes right out to 309.

Stival wanted to know if the township could get the double lines extended.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said it’s the state Department of Transportation’s road, but that the board could make the request.

Prudenti said that PennDOT goes by the number of reportable accidents, and that the township didn’t meet the criteria to have a traffic light installed at the intersection of Route 309 and Route 895.

“We are working with them; something will be done,” Prudenti said. “Especially with the recent deaths that have been happening, we all see the need for something to be done.”

Supervisors agreed to write PennDOT a letter.

Supervisor Tim Houser said that the township is “kind of at the mercy of PennDOT” because it isn’t a township road.

Prudenti added, “We all know we’ve had these deaths in the township, and it’s a terrible thing.”

Ronald Bauer, 54, of Lehighton was killed in a crash March 16 on Route 443 in the township.

On March 14, Nicholas Sadusky, 19, of Mary D was killed in a three-car crash along Route 309.

And on March 11, Matthew Fannock, 21, of Andreas, was killed at 6 a.m. in a crash on 309, just past the Leiby’s intersection.

Township officials previously met with PennDOT officials, along with state Rep. Jerry Knowles and a representative from state Sen. David Argall’s office, to discuss the potential installation of a traffic light at the intersection.

However, Prudenti said that PennDOT told the township it can’t put a light at the intersection because it doesn’t qualify.

Several options that were discussed included two flashing warning signs — one for each direction — at a cost of $25,000. Another option was a red and yellow beacon at the intersection at a cost of $26,000.

Prudenti said that basically the township was looking at a cost of around $25,000. Right now, Prudenti said the township doesn’t have money in the budget to pay for it.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 5 Executive Michael Rebert said earlier this month that the intersection “is not even close to meeting the warrant for a traffic signal.”

Rebert said PennDOT’s traffic unit will be reviewing the intersection to see what can be done with possible additional signs and pavement markings.

Ultimately, the responsibility (installation and maintenance costs) for a traffic signal would belong to the township, Rebert said.

Last month, supervisors mentioned a response to a letter sent to legislators expressing concerns over the safety of the intersection.

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

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 in January that he would rather see a realignment of the intersection instead of a light.

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, and that he does not believe the township should be responsible for the installation of a light on two state highways.