Safety Upgrades Underway on Highland Avenue in West View

PennDOT and borough officials collaborate on traffic calming measures after fatal crash

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:53pm

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An abstract, colorful image of a moving vehicle on Highland Avenue, blurred into sweeping streaks of motion to convey the need for improved road safety in the community.Blurred motion on Highland Avenue captures the urgency behind safety upgrades to address speeding and distracted driving in West View Borough.Today in Pittsburgh

Safety improvements are in progress on Highland Avenue in West View Borough, Pennsylvania following a fatal crash last September and recent traffic studies by PennDOT. The state transportation agency and local officials are implementing a series of upgrades, including new signage, crosswalk repainting, and vegetation clearing to address speeding and distracted driving concerns raised by residents.

Why it matters

Highland Avenue is a busy thoroughfare in West View, and the community has grown increasingly concerned about public safety on the road after a fatal crash and multiple other incidents this year. The collaborative efforts between PennDOT and the borough aim to curb dangerous driving behaviors and prevent future tragedies.

The details

PennDOT conducted a corridor safety review of Highland Avenue from Gass Road to Route 19 in the months after the September 2025 fatal crash. This review resulted in several safety recommendations, some of which the state agency will handle, such as adding advisory speed signs and signage to remind drivers to turn off turn signals. The borough is also taking action, including repainting center lines and crosswalks, clearing vegetation, and seeking grant funding for flashing pedestrian signs. West View Mayor J.R. Henry said police are increasing their presence to crack down on speeding and distracted driving on the road.

  • In September 2025, a fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Cornell Avenue.
  • In the months following the crash, PennDOT performed a corridor safety review of Highland Avenue.
  • Over the next few weeks, PennDOT will be installing new signage on Highland Avenue.

The players

PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the state agency responsible for maintaining and improving the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure.

West View Borough

The local government of West View, Pennsylvania, where Highland Avenue is located.

Scott Kuntz

The pastor at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church on Highland Avenue, who has witnessed safety issues on the road firsthand.

Stephanie Zolnak

A District 11 traffic engineer for PennDOT who provided details on the agency's safety recommendations for Highland Avenue.

J.R. Henry

The mayor of West View Borough, who is collaborating with PennDOT and the police department to address safety concerns on Highland Avenue.

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What they’re saying

“We have observed that a lot of people are just driving way too fast on this road here.”

— Scott Kuntz, Pastor, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

“There are many people who just don't stop. They do not want to stop at the crosswalk even though there is a person there waiting.”

— Scott Kuntz, Pastor, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

“A few of those recommendations that we sent over fall to the municipality to think about and consider, and a few of those recommendations fall to PennDOT for us to deploy and implement also.”

— Stephanie Zolnak, District 11 Traffic Engineer, PennDOT

“We've all been concerned, from the police department, the council members, myself, and the residents. We're really all on the same side here.”

— J.R. Henry, Mayor, West View Borough

What’s next

PennDOT anticipates that the intersection improvement project at Highland and Gass will take a few years to complete.

The takeaway

The collaborative efforts between PennDOT and West View Borough to address safety concerns on Highland Avenue demonstrate a shared commitment to improving public safety and reducing dangerous driving behaviors in the community.