PennDOT employee Adam Shuss stands in front of the new speed display placed alongside state Route 219 near Brick Hill.

By Joseph Bell
Ridgway Record

According to PennDOT District 2 Safety Press Officer Ida Reams, a “radar controlled speed display sign” was placed yesterday afternoon along state Route 219 near Johnsonburg.

Reams said she thinks there is a speeding problem in this particular area known as “Brick Hill.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s a bad location but we’ll be taking a close look at that stretch (of roadway),” Reams said.

According to Reams, there have been 66 total crashes from 2003 to the present at the area in question.

“Of the 66 crashes, four were fatalities,” Reams said. “And that is a concern.”

Reams said PennDOT officials are looking into getting the section of roadway added to the Smooth Operator Program.

According to the program’s website, the project is a “public safety initiative which aims to provide education, information and solutions for the problem of aggressive driving.”

Reams said the program just came to Pennsylvania last year.

“This year it will be in Centre, Mifflin and Clearfield counties,” Reams said. “There is a section of (state Route) 219 near Brockway that is targeted. They try to target ones with high crash volumes.”

According to Reams, the area, which has become locally known as “Brick Hill,” has a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour and has been the subject of speed studies.

“And we haven’t received all crash data so I’m not sure about the winter conditions and times of the year as far as the crashes are concerned,” Reams said. “We’re also looking at other options, including oversized signage so maybe people will take more notice.”

According to Reams’ press release, the newly installed signs are to “remain on location for at least two weeks and will register the speed of vehicles traveling through this section of (state) Route 219.”