Speeding hot spots a concern in Brentwood

Councilman David Wenzel worries Bauman Avenue in Brentwood is becoming a speedway.

"The speeding is horrendous," he said during council's work session last week. "They blow through the street and through the stop sign. It's like a racetrack."

Shadewell Avenue resident Pat Carnevale sees Beisner Avenue as another hot spot.

"It's a street that people cut through and fly out of because they are trying to beat the traffic (on Brownsville Road) going to Whitehall," Carnevale said.

It doesn't stop there.

Council President Jay Lieb mentioned Brentwood, Elroy, Tuxey, Pyramid and Greenlee avenues as concerns.

Wenzel suggested installing speed humps, which typically are 10-14 feet wide. They cost around $2,000 apiece.

"I tried to bring this up about a year ago," he said. "(Drivers) can't go fast over them because it will tear up their cars. If people go over them fast, they'll get the message."

Brentwood police Chief Robert Butelli said officers are working overtime on a program that pays the costs to pursue aggressive drivers and speeders.

"We've been participating in that for a long time, but I think the calming devices are an excellent idea," Butelli said about the speed humps. "They are used in other parts of the country, and (they've) been quite effective."

Council's Public Safety Committee is reviewing the problem and suggestions.