West Chester, Pa (February 11, 2026) – Three intersections in the Downingtown area will be upgraded to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety and relief congestion thanks to state funding approved this week, state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten announced.
“Investments in our transportation infrastructure help make our roads safer for everyone, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers on public transit,” Comitta said. “As Chester County continues to attract more residents and visitors to the region, it’s important that we take steps, like these, to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient travel on our roadways.”
“These investments will help to improve traffic flow, walkability and pedestrian safety in a busy part of town near some of Downingtown’s most popular parks and local businesses,” said Otten. “I applaud the borough’s ongoing commitment to building a safe, convenient and welcoming community for residents and visitors.”
The grant funding, which comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s ARLE program, is as follows:
- $65,000 for Downingtown Borough for lane configuration and detection upgrades at the intersection of Wallace Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as detection upgrades at two adjacent intersections within the borough
- $94,000 for Downingtown Borough to enhance the existing midblock pedestrian crossing along Pennsylvania Avenue at Kerr Park.
- $257,000 for East Caln Township to replace outdated signal heads with new heads at all signalized intersections and replace five-section left-turn signal heads with four-section flashing yellow arrow signal heads.
The Chester County grants are part of 51 projects awarded more than $27 million in total to improve intersection safety across 44 municipalities statewide. Municipalities submitted 113 applications, totaling over $67 million in requests.
State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on such criteria as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact.
“Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, we’re making important investments in communities across the Commonwealth that make a real difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The ARLE program helps municipalities improve traffic flow and safety at intersections, not only for drivers, but for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. I’m proud that PennDOT continues to invest directly in communities through programs like ARLE, delivering real results for Pennsylvanians.”
Funding for the ARLE program is supplied by fines from automatic red light enforcement violations at 38 intersections in Philadelphia. There are no automated red light enforcement intersections or locations in Chester County
Today’s funding announcement brings PennDOT’s total investment through the ARLE program to more than $60 million to support 121 safety projects under the Shapiro Administration.
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