PennDot suggests drivers watch “How to Navigate Pennsylvania’s Roundabouts” informational video in regards to Freedom Road/Route 989 roundabout

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is teaming up with the New Sewickley Police Department to urge safety when traveling through the Freedom Road/Route 989 roundabout in New Sewickley Borough, Beaver County.

Last fall, the roundabout at Freedom Road and Route 989 opened to traffic as part of the $21.7 million Freedom Road Upgrade project. While work on the project is still underway, the overall construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024.

“Roundabouts are a great solution to reducing traffic congestion and speeding, and we are glad to have one at this intersection,” said New Sewickley Police Chief Greg Carney. “Now that the roundabout is open, we’re happy to be partnering with PennDOT to educate motorists on how to properly navigate through it, for everyone’s safety.”

To help motorists navigate the newly constructed roundabout, PennDOT recommends viewing their informational video, “How to Navigate Pennsylvania’s Roundabouts.” Drivers can also stop into the New Sewickley Police Department to pick up a free copy of PennDOT’s Single-Lane Roundabout brochure.

Roundabouts are frequently installed to address intersections with safety issues but may also be installed to improve traffic flow as well as other reasons such as traffic calming, and to facilitate pedestrian mobility. Roundabouts offer improved safety over other at-grade intersection forms primarily because there are fewer conflict points, slower speeds, and easier decision-making.

Geometrically designed to reduce vehicle speeds to generally 25 mph or less, roundabouts only consist of right turns. This significantly reduces the severity of crashes over those at traditional intersections. Crashes that do occur are typically low-speed, sideswipe crashes rather than high-speed T-bone collisions that can occur at traditional intersections, especially with left-turn movements. Roundabouts also improve pedestrian safety due to the slow speeds and by providing a median refuse area. This allows for two simple crossings of one-way traffic.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District11.

Information about infrastructure in District 11, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D11Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

For more information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer.

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