PennDOT to address township’s concerns on a “deadly stretch highway”
REDSTONE TWP. — Several accidents on Grindstone Road (state Route 4028) prompted supervisors to reach out to the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for help.
“A few young people have lost their lives on that road, and we just had a lady wreck last month,” Supervisor Larry Williams said during the township meeting Wednesday. “(She) went over the guardrail and flipped over.”
Following the supervisors’ recent letter, PennDOT confirmed that it will be upgrading the Chevron traffic signs and advisory speed signs, according to Supervisor George Matis. Delineation will be added to the guard rails. In addition, the township is on a waiting list for a trailer to record the speed of each passing vehicle on the road. All costs will be covered by PennDOT, Matis said.
Before receiving a response, supervisors attempted to reach out to PennDOT on three occasions, emphasizing the need to upgrade the signs for safety purposes. Speed was a major factor in the accidents, Matis said.
In other matters, the township announced that its traffic lights have been changed from standard incandescent lights to the LED lights. Traffic Safety in Bentleyville completed the work for $800. The funding was taken out of general funds.
In the past, the township was changing their lights every six months, but the new bulbs will only need to be replaced every five years, according to Matis. Changing the lights will result in huge savings for the township, according to Williams.
Each township and borough is responsible for the maintenance of these lights, Williams said. PennDOT doesn’t assist with any maintenance costs.
In other business, the supervisors:
n Granted a mercantile license for Daniel and Randi Mullen to operate Mullen’s Irish Hub LLC at 1027 Main Street in Republic.
n Announced that Threshold is in the process of building additional homes at the site of the Old Dunlap Creek Village, Glenn at the Oaks. Of the six new homes that are expected to be built, one house is already completed, according to Williams. Threshold will be extending the site from the recent addition at Marble Terrace and Slate streets along Steel Street and Stone Church Road.
n Addressed John Stanislaw’s questions regarding the addition of rental campsites behind Filbert Pond along Filbert Orient Road. Stanislaw and his wife Mary Beth, who own the pond and the 27-acre area by it, are aiming to have up to 15 campsites available for weekend rentals by next summer. Williams advised they refer to the appropriate channels and obtain zoning.
Supervisor Ralph Rice wasn’t in attendance at the meeting.