Hempfield wants to spruce up the Westmoreland Mall area by adding signage, lighting and pedestrian improvements at the entrance into the township.
The township supervisors on Monday approved a $30,000 agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers for a study and conceptual design for improvements focused on a bridge and ramp that carries traffic over Route 30 to and from the mall.
“We’re hoping to make that a nice, welcoming area for our business corridor,” said Supervisor Doug Weimer.
The bridge and ramp, both of which are owned by Hempfield, sit near the eastern border of the township in a large commercial district filled with shopping plazas, restaurants and car dealerships. Hempfield’s 2023 comprehensive plan called for adding municipal signage at gateway entrances.
Weimer sees the project as a way to improve the aesthetics around the bridge while adding access from the mall area down to businesses on Route 30.
“People do walk and ride bikes through there, so now it’s going to make it safer,” he said.
The study and conceptual design will help the township seek grants to fund the improvements.
Township Manager Aaron Siko said the project will add to traffic improvements already planned in the area, including at Sheraton Drive and Donohoe Road.
In 2021, Hempfield was awarded a $925,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to add a traffic signal at Sheraton and Donohoe, change traffic patterns through the Best Buy property and add a stop sign for traffic on the ramp coming from Westmoreland Mall.
That project is set to go out to bid this year.