BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – West Reading, Leesport, and Boyertown are all receiving state funding through Pennsylvania’s Green Light-Go program to modernize traffic signals and improve safety.
In West Reading, the borough is getting just over $220,000 to upgrade signals at several busy intersections.
“It’s a little bit over $220,000, and it’ll go towards the intersections of 7th and Reading Avenue, 7th and Parkside, and then 8th and Hill/Reading Avenue,” said West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag.
The goal is to reduce congestion and make streets safer, especially for pedestrians.
“The grant is for timing and modernization of the signals, to help clear some of that up and make it safer for pedestrians,” Kaag said.
In Leesport, the upgrades will focus along Route 61, specifically at Wall Street, Peach Street, and Cherry Street.
“Those improvements include the installation of video-controlled light cycles, which will eliminate the wired loop sensors in the road,” said Leesport Mayor David Reimer.
Leesport will also install emergency vehicle preemptors, technology that allows fire trucks and ambulances to trigger green lights as they approach intersections.
“The most significant improvement will be the installation of emergency vehicle preemptors. That will allow emergency vehicles to have the green light to go through intersections,” Reimer said.
And in Boyertown, nearly $700,000 will be used to replace aging traffic signals at East Philadelphia Avenue’s intersections with Reading Avenue and Madison Street.