Lititz council orders traffic study for North Cedar & New Streets and OKs June–December Juniper Lane closures

Lititz Borough Council on April 28 voted to commission a traffic study focused on the North Cedar and North New Street intersection following repeated resident complaints of speeding, near misses and a modest crash history. Council also approved a series of short Juniper Lane closures for downtown Second Saturday events from May through December.

Streets and Traffic committee members briefed council on prior complaints, a limited crash history going back over a decade, and examples of near misses. The recommended study scope includes an evaluation of crash history and the intersection’s geometric design, and—if a four‑way stop is not warranted—recommendations for other traffic‑calming or engineering measures (paint‑and‑pole treatments, bumpouts, no‑parking zones to increase site distance). Committee members said bundling several intersections for cost savings offered little benefit given varying crash histories; members recommended focusing on the clearly documented corridor.

Multiple residents urged a comprehensive approach. Karen Wyel (202 North Cedar) told council that while a four‑way stop might not address all behaviors, the community needs borough‑wide education and enforcement to address roll‑throughs and speeding; she suggested public awareness campaigns and broader coordination with neighboring police departments given limits on local radar enforcement. Resident Chris McIn (131 North Cedar) described frequent high‑speed traffic and urged engineering or enforcement actions to restore residential peace.

Chief Han noted ongoing directed enforcement funded by grants for impaired driving and aggressive driving, and that the department uses crash data to prioritize enforcement. Council members asked that the study include engineering recommendations and alternatives so the borough would not spend money only to find a four‑way stop is unwarranted.

The motion to authorize the traffic engineer to study the North Cedar & New Street intersection passed by voice vote. Council separately approved the Juniper Lane closures for Second Saturdays (short block closure) after staff said the closures worked well last year and posed no reported issues.

What the study will deliver: a crash history review, geometric design assessment, and a toolbox of traffic‑calming options for council and staff to consider; the committee and chief said education and enforcement would continue in parallel.