Jul 12, 2007 By Christine Haines 3 min read

REDSTONE TWP. – Construction of the Mon/Fayette Expressway through Redstone Township is causing a variety of problems on township roads, according to residents and the township supervisors. The supervisors this week received a copy of a letter that residents Jack and Crenda Patterson sent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission regarding the condition of Patterson Road. The local road has been used as an access road to the expressway construction site.

“This road from Route 40 to the turnpike right of way has been severely damaged by construction vehicles,” the Pattersons wrote.

Township Supervisor Larry Williams said the problem came up when the contractor used Patterson Road to haul coal out of the expressway construction area.

“Mashuda hit some coal that had to be removed because you can’t build a road on coal. The road has been severely damaged and there are areas where you can’t even tell it’s been paved,” Williams said.

Atlas Resources repaved Patterson Road two years ago after it was damaged when that company was installing gas wells in the area. Ralph Rice, chairman of the supervisors, said Mashuda intends to patch the road instead of resurfacing the entire road, despite the fact that there are sections that are now just gravel and other areas where the surface is cracked.

Rice announced that Royal Road, that had been closed by the expressway construction, is now reopened. While that is generally good news for local motorists, Center Gas Road resident Jim Panzone said it’s causing a problem on his street.

“Center Gas Road has become a racetrack,” Panzone said.

Because so many other local roads are still closed by the expressway construction, cars are using Royal Road and Center Gas Road to get to the Rowes Run/Smock area.

“It’s going to be a high-traffic area from now on, now that Royal Road is open,” Rice said.

Township police officer Mike Hampe said he soon will be taking measurements and having lines painted for speed traps throughout the township, and Center Gas Road could be added to the list.

Williams said the problems could be temporary.

“By Thanksgiving, everything’s going to be opened up again and all the traffic patterns will change again,” Williams said.

Jerry Grashion, who lives on Colvin Run Road, which also has been affected by the expressway construction, is asking the township supervisors to organize a tour of the construction zone for local, state and county officials so they can see firsthand some of the damage being done by the construction. Grashion raised concerns that Colvin Run Road is being rebuilt in a way that could cause the road to slide in the future, once the township resumes control of the road.

“As far as Colvin Run, if it’s not up to our standards, we won’t take it back,” Williams said.

In other matters, it was reported that the township will have a cleanup day in October for bulky items such as mattresses and white goods. Residents wishing to dispose of those items prior to October should call J.C. Sanitation at 724-425-9702, Rice said.