Fox Chapel officials to turn curvy intersection into 3-way stop for safety reasons

Bill Bates has lived near the intersection of Guyasuta Road and Fieldvue Lane in Fox Chapel for about four decades.

He has seen his share of near misses from cars attempting to turn onto Guyasuta and motorists going up and down the winding road.

“It can be (dangerous) because the way the hill slopes out there, the people don’t have a clear view coming up,” Bates said. “We’ve had some close calls.”

A study recently was done by the borough’s engineering firm, LSSE, in search of a way to make the intersection safer.

The solution? Put stop signs in both directions of the road and make it a three-way stop.

Council unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance to support that action April 15.

Stop signs also were a recommendation from several other borough officials including police Chief Michael Stevens, who said the sight distance issue coming off Fieldvue Lane is a safety hazard.

“They can’t cut the hillside back enough. They can’t move the road. The best for safety is the stop signs for being able to pull out of Fieldvue,” Stevens said. “It’s a borough road. If you take a ride up and look at it, you’ll understand why it’s being done.”

Borough Manager Gary Koehler said he expects the stop signs to be installed within a week or so. The estimated cost of the project is about $200.

Bates said he supports council’s actions to address driver and resident safety, and believes the added stop signs will make a difference.

In other business

• Stevens commended Foxwall EMS for teaching and certifying police officers and borough staff in CPR.

EMS Deputy Chief Albert Bouwer said his department hosts four community CPR classes each year.

Its latest one has yet to be scheduled. More information will be posted on the EMS website at foxwall.org.

• Council celebrated the borough being named one of Allegheny County’s banner communities.

Council President Andrew Bennett read the county proclamation at the council meeting.

The Banner Community Program recognizes municipalities that distinguish themselves as model communities through a commitment to effective, efficient and accountable government principles through implementation of recognized best practices in providing services to their constituents.

The program is administered through the Allegheny League of Municipalities in conjunction with Allegheny County and program sponsor HRG Engineering.

Bennett said Fox Chapel was selected because of the hard work of borough staff in collaboration with elected leaders.

• Larry Kurpakus, director of Public Works, thanked the estimated 20 volunteers who participated in the borough’s annual cleanup day April 13.

He said they collected enough trash and debris to fill 25 large bags.