"It's always been one of the busiest intersections," says Sharon at-large councilman Carl Sizer.

Where East Connelly Boulevard, South Sharpsville Avenue and the Shenango Valley Freeway all meet, so does some of the heaviest vehicle and foot traffic in Sharon.

"With the addition of Speedway, that really increased the traffic, both pedestrian and driving," Sizer said. 

Now, after COVID delayed it for more than two years, the city has started work on upgrades.

"It's a program funded by PennDOT, 'Green Light Go' is the name of the grant," explained Sizer. "Improve traffic signaling, add curbing and crosswalks which currently don't exist."

Handicap-accessible ramps will go in too, along with greenspace features to please the eye.

"It's really going to beautify and improve the intersection," Sizer said, calling this the latest piece in keeping Sharon's downtown walkable, accessible and viable.

"We've been able to improve the key gateway areas to the city with the roundabout, with this intersection."

That PennDOT grant will cover more than $300,000 to pay for the work.
The city will match about a fifth of that.
An important investment in one of the most important areas of town.

The project should wrap up before the summer does with no major traffic tie-ups.
Sizer says the stretch of Route 62 onto Irvine Avenue is next on the city's radar.