The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has notified four South Hills communities that it is going forward with a project to coordinate traffic lights along Route 19.

Domenic D'Andrea, a traffic signal projects coordinator for the agency, said the group had completed its field investigation of the scope and costs of the project.

He said in the coming weeks the group will schedule a meeting with the municipalities to go over cost and schedules.

Bethel Park Council passed a resolution April 13 to participate in the plan.

Jerry Duke, Bethel Park's municipal planner, said the municipality was a minor player in the project because it has only one signal -- at Highland Road -- in the affected corridor.

He said the majority of the project would take place in Mt. Lebanon, but it also would include participation from Peters and Upper St. Clair.

Mr. Duke said the four communities have filed a grant application with the SPC to develop and implement a signal coordination system for Washington Road.

The project is slated to include areas on Route 19 between Scott Road in Mt. Lebanon and Waterdam Road in Peters.

The total estimated cost for the project is $355,000, Mr. Duke said.

The grant is expected to cover 80 percent of the costs with the local share of $71,000 being divided by the four communities: Mt. Lebanon, $35,000; Upper St. Clair, $12,500; Peters, $21,000; and Bethel Park, $2,500.

"We have been informed that the SPC has decided to advance the consideration for the project and is working with the communities to establish the project scope and project schedule," Mr. Duke said.

Stephen Feller, Mt. Lebanon municipal manager, said that while the state Department of Transportation was involved and approves the signal plans, this is an SPC project.

He said some of the signals were being retimed, others will have the phasing modified and others will receive new equipment.

"The purpose is to improve the flow of traffic and capacity along Route 19," he said.

Mr. D'Andrea said the next step would be for the SPC to execute the required agreements with PennDOT and the municipalities that are necessary because the project would be federally funded.

He said the goals of the project include reducing congestion, improving safety, improving mobility, reducing stops and reducing fuel usage.