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Construction clogs Foundry area with cars, trucks
Staff writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
Motorists looking to make a quick trip between Washington and Canonsburg probably won't find it on Route 19 in South Strabane Township.
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The improvements include turning lanes and new traffic signals at two entrances to The Foundry shopping center. The entrances are Trinity Place and Foundry Way.
Liberty Hill, District 12 permit engineer for the state Department of Transportation, said the work will probably last another four to six weeks, depending on the weather.
"They were approved in November. They do have a year to do the work," he said.
In addition, Premier Properties, which is developing the shopping center, is making improvements to the Cameron and Manifold road intersection with Route 19. On Cameron, developers will add a right-turn lane for motorists headed north on Route 19.
Hill noted that many wouldn't associate that work with Premier's development, but as part of the permitting process, developers are required to upgrade existing roads to keep traffic flowing.
Premier Properties is also adding a rear entrance to the shopping center off Berry Road and placing traffic signals at Berry Road's intersection with Locust Avenue.
The Foundry's two driveways are considered high volume, meaning that as many as 1,500 vehicles a day are expected to use each road. By comparison, Route 19 has an average daily traffic of about 18,000 vehicles, or about 9,000 in the northbound and 9,000 in the southbound lanes.
Police Chief Don Zofchak recommends motorists avoid the area, especially at lunch time.
"It needs to be done for long-range plans. My advice is there are going to be some times when there's congestion there and people should avoid it if possible," he said.
Township manager John Stickle has handled a few complaints from people driving through the area. He noted that the traffic signals have yet to be properly synchronized and traffic flow should be improved once that is done.
The Foundry opened its first store, JC Penney, on March 9. Also planned are Bed Bath and Beyond, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less and Ulta Cosmetics. Outparcels are available, as well.
