We learned in the Friday, April 24, edition of the Butler Eagle that Cranberry and Jackson townships, Harmony and Zelienople are working together to create the Southwest Butler Multi-Municipal Safety Action Plan.

The goal of the plan is to make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’ll be looking at critical intersections or safety related improvements that are necessary along pedestrian and transportation corridors throughout those municipalities,” Cranberry Township manager Dan Santoro explained.

All four municipalities will work with AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, to collect data, get community feedback and develop a safety plan.

Part of the reason the plan can happen is a U.S. Department of Transportation grant through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which will cover 80% of the $305,000 contract.

As the southwestern part of Butler County continues to see population growth, this project is essential. Communities that are walkable and accessible to cyclists are attractive to people, and that makes ensuring the safety of everyone a high priority.

The four municipalities working together also recognizes how interconnected our communities are and how important it is to work across boundaries to protect as many people as possible.

We look forward to seeing the process play out and hope the final plan addresses the needs of the residents of all four communities, setting them all up for continued growth.

— JK