Over the years, Councilman Dowd has heard many requests to make the intersection of N. Negley Avenue and Bryant Street a 4-way stop in order to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers. Due to the recent increase in traffic to Bryant Street because of the growth in the business district, Councilman Dowd doubled his efforts and we were happy to see the placement of signs earlier this week.

However, as several people on this listserve pointed out, because the signs were new and hard to spot due to trees, many drivers did not see them and did not make the stop, creating an even less safe situation. Although there is an additional sign in each direction indicating that drivers are approaching a stop sign, this did not seem to be enough, particularly in the southbound lane. Many residents contacted our office to let us know of this problem and we contacted the Zone 5 Police Commander to see if he could station an officer there at high traffic times. We have since learned from the Commander that many Highland Park residents made similar requests of the police.

Earlier today, we received a call from the Commander informing us that a Department of Public Works supervisor had visited the site to assess the situation in the southbound lane. This individual determined that there was no more visible location for the stop sign, unless they cut down a tree. Because the police do not have sufficient manpower to station someone at the intersection until a solution can be found, the Commander requested that the stop sign be removed temporarily. We have since learned that the northbound stop sign has also been removed.

Councilman Dowd remains committed to finding a way to improve safety at this intersection and will take up the issue again next week. In the meantime, please be aware that the intersection of N. Negley and Bryant is once again a 2-way stop.

510 City-County Building · 414 Grant Street · Pittsburgh PA 15219 · 412 255 2140
emily.keebler@pittsburghpa.gov · www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7