Nov 7, 2002 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

ROSTRAVER TWP. – The Rostraver Township commissioners said they are making some progress toward improving the conditions on the Route 51 corridor that so many local citizens have been concerned about. At previous meetings, the board said they were trying to get PennDOT to allow some additions to be placed on Route 51 at the Darr Road intersection, where some fatal accidents have occurred. President George Martin had announced that they were going to be able to conduct a study of that section to determine what changes should be made.

On Wednesday, he reported that some funding was being supplied for the study.

“The Fayette County commissioners are going to put $60,000 into the study, and $40,000 will come from the Westmoreland County commissioners,” said Martin.

“We are going get a base map of the road, and once that is complete it will be sent to the highway department and we will see what type of flashing light we can install there.”

Martin explained that the funding was coming from the money that was allotted to each county by PennDOT.

He said the study will take about two years to complete and after that, “it could be years before anything happens.”

“They agreed to this need study to determine if that section of (Route) 51 warrants changes,” said Martin, adding that the board is hopeful that the study will bring some results.

The board also passed a motion to have solicitor Timothy Maatta work with the EADS group to acquire rights of way that are needed for the Elks Plan Bridge Replacement so that they may move into the final phase of the project.

Commissioner Donald Yoder said the project would move into final phase as soon as possible.

“It will go into final design once the rights of way are established, and it should take about six months to complete after that,” said Yoder.

Martin added that the number of rights of way needed would be minimal.

In another matter, the board is trying to take the final steps necessary to demolish two properties that they condemned.

Martin said the two buildings are located in Webster and have been in disrepair for quite some time.

He explained that the process of legal steps to destroy them took longer because they could not find the owner of the properties, one that used to be a home, and the other a commercial building.

Maatta reported that the final hearings would be held in the near future.

“The demolition hearings for the properties that we have condemned will be held in court, and, hopefully, the court will approve the demolition of the buildings,” said Maatta.

Martin said the buildings are a “safety hazard.”

“They are falling onto other people’s property and children play in the area. We don’t want anything to happen because of them.”