Jake brakes are now prohibited on Bridgeville’s McLaughlin Run Road, from Bower Hill Road to the Upper St. Clair border.
Bridgeville Council ratified the decision Sept. 9. A jake brake is an engine brake in some diesel engines that creates a loud engine roar when used.
Neighbors earlier this year had requested the borough prohibit the use of jake brakes on McLaughlin Run Road, said Manager Joe Kauer.
He said PennDOT completed a traffic study that found McLaughlin Run Road met criteria for an engine brake retarder restriction.
Kauer anticipates signage being posted by mid-October at the latest. Violators could be subject to fines.
Other business
Bridgeville also is looking for funding support for two projects.
Council authorized applying to the Pennsylvania Municipal Assistance Program for funding of its Downtown Zoning District Project. The project was a recommendation of the borough’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan, Kauer said.
According to that plan, Bridgeville’s zoning ordinance does not have a distinct zoning district covering the downtown, which would better accommodate downtown uses.
If a $10,000 grant is awarded, it would fund half of the cost for a consultant to complete a community survey and for the borough to draft a downtown zoning amendment in line with the borough’s comprehensive plan, Kauer said.
In addition to the grant, another $10,000 would be used from the borough’s general fund to pay for the remainder of the $20,000 project.
Bridgeville officials also sought nearly $490,000 from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County to cover the costs of a lighting improvements project at Chartiers Park.
“The ballfield lighting on both baseball fields are antiquated, inefficient and major components of the system are beyond repair,” Kauer said.
“The borough will apply to multiple funding sources for assistance. We anticipate a decision from the Redevelopment Authority in early/mid 2025. Outside funding is needed for this project to proceed.”
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.