Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton 2022 is the target for construction for the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street in downtown Warren.

New PennDOT data suggests that fatalities, injuries and crashes have decreased at 22 roundabouts throughout the Commonwealth.

The data was collected from intersections that had previously been controlled by stop signs or signals and were included due to three years of available crash statistics.

That data shows, PennDOT explained in a statement, that police-submitted crash reports “spanning the years 2000 through 2019 shows that fatalities at these locations were reduced by 100 percent and the total number of crashes decreased by 24 percent.”

Further, suspected serious injuries were reduced by 78 percent, suspected minor injuries were reduced by 62 percent and unknown severity reduced by 82 percent. Property damage-only crashes increased 20 percent, the data shows.

“We continue to be encouraged by the safety advantages of the modern roundabout,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Lives are being saved and injuries reduced. The data cannot be denied.”

The data came from roundabouts across the state — the closest being the roundabout in Waterford. PennDOT said that an additional 34 have been built and “over 40 more are in design” — including the roundabout at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street in Warren.

“We are still working through the design process with a target of having it finalized by the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022,” PennDOT Press Officer Jill Harry said. “Design work will be finished late 2021 or early 2022, that includes awarding the contract. Major construction is likely to happen in 2022.”

“We experienced some pandemic-related delays earlier this year in regard to field work for needed utilities relocation,” she added, “so we had to adjust the timeline for the project.”