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Panel eyes projects in draft of 2009-12 transportation plan
niedbala@observer-reporter.com
The panel formed to provide local input in the development of the four-year Transportation Improvement Program presented a list of projects Monday it would like to see included in the 2009-2012 plan.
The meeting was held on a draft of the plan prepared by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the region's designated planning agency; the county, county public participation panel, SPC technical committees and state Department of Transportation.
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Testimony presented Monday was developed by the panel with input from the county. It was presented by John Kendralla, panel co-chairman, and lists a number of projects, some included and some not included in the draft.
"We added things we believe are important and issues that were brought to us by the municipalities," said Robbie Matesic, director of the county Department of Economic Development.
Some of the projects also were from comments received from residents at panel meetings and during the process of developing the comprehensive plan, she said.
Matesic said the county agrees that bridges should be a priority, especially with 25 percent of bridges in the county deemed structurally deficient.
Though many county TIPs had been changed to reflect the goveror's directive, Greene County fared well in regard to other improvement projects because of efforts by PennDOT District 12 staff, she said.
"We are grateful to the district that our highway projects weren't jeopardized," Matesic said. "They have worked closely with us to find ways to keep these projects advancing."
Projects the panel asked to be included or to remain in the plan, in no order of priority, are:
n Replacement of the Masontown Bridge and completion of the Point Marion Bridge
n Improvements to Route 21 from Chessie's Market to Paisley Intersection and from Paisley to Junction Deli, including the re-alignment of the intersection at Bailey's Crossroad. The road improvement projects are included in the draft
n Construction of the Route 218 overpass over the railroad and Ten Mile Creek in Waynesburg. This project is included in the draft
n Construction of additional lanes on Freedom Bridge and the railroad underpass on Route 19/21 in Morrisville. This project is included in the draft.
n Development of a plan to alleviate flooding on Route 21 at Woodland Avenue in Waynesburg
n Rehabilitation of the Fredericktown Ferry
n Improvements to a dangerous curve on Route 18 near Browns Creek Road in Morris Township
n Improvements at the Interstate 79 interchanges at Mt. Morris, Waynesburg and at Ruff Creek, including the development of a park-n-ride site at Ruff Creek
n Expansion of the Greene River Trail
n Funding to move utilities underground for the Waynesburg Streetscape project; and Waynesburg traffic signal improvements. Signal improvements are included in the draft
n Improvements to Rolling Meadows Road at Murtha Drive
n Restoration of the Cox and Shriver covered bridges
n Continued funding for the local bridge program for county bridges and support of plans to rehabilitate or replace 16 bridges that were included in the draft plan
n Improvements to the intersections on Route 88 at Fieldson Crossroads and Mapletown Crossroads.
Federal regulations require SPC to develop a TIP identifying the area's priority transportation projects. Projects must be included in the program to become eligible for federal funding.
The draft of the four-year plan will become final following review and adoption by SPC and state and federal agencies.
