Murrysville Council approves four‑way stop at School Road and North Hills after traffic study; one council member opposes

The Murrysville Council voted on March 4 to adopt Ordinance 1110‑26 to install two stop signs at the School Road and North Hills Road intersection, making the junction a four‑way stop.

Staff presented a traffic engineering study that found traffic volumes exceeded thresholds for multiway stop control under PennDOT/MUTCD criteria and documented 14 crashes at the location over five years, including five angle crashes. Chief Administrator Mike summarized the study: "The traffic volumes were greater than the thresholds for a multi‑way stop control," and noted that while stopping sight distance met the study’s measurements, the recommendation to implement an all‑way stop was based on the compiled criteria.

Resident Nathan Zimmerman had urged the council during public comment to address visibility obstructions rather than install a stop sign, showing photos of overgrown bushes and a small pine tree at the approaches and arguing sight lines were the primary problem. Council members discussed sight‑line remedies, the study’s findings and potential liability if the municipality declined a study recommendation. The municipal solicitor warned that ignoring the study recommendation could be raised in litigation after a future incident.

Council members also raised concerns about potential negative effects of a stop at the bottom of a hill and bus operations during school periods, but others said the crash history and their personal experience supported adding stop control for safety. The motion passed with one opposing vote from the member who said the study was not complete.

Votes at a glance from the meeting:
- Ordinance 1110‑26 (School Road / North Hills) — adopted (voice vote; one opposed).
- Acceptance of resignation: Eli Decopoulos — accepted, effective 2026‑03‑31; staff to advertise vacancy and follow charter timelines.
- Contract award: Bruce and Maralees — $374,200 to replace signal and pedestrian heads and install battery backups along the Route 22 corridor; project primarily ARLE grant funded (municipal contribution about $45,000 for engineering/inspection) — approved.
- Engineering services fee: Gibson Thomas — $29,500 for stormwater relocation engineering on Old William Penn Highway — approved.

The council moved on to other business after recording the votes; staff will begin vacancy advertisement for the council seat and work with vendors on billing and project schedules for the approved contracts.