Truck traffic trouble
Waynesburg resident Sam Francis asked council Monday night to use its clout with the state Department of Transportation and state legislators to do something about trucks coming down North Richhill Street into town.
If the state lets the road go much longer, Francis said, some of the potholes will soon look like “an artillery impact area.”
Francis said he also is concerned many trucks coming down the hill are carrying overweight loads and what might happen if they were to lose their brakes.
He asked whether borough police could stop these trucks to make sure they have PennDOT permits for carrying overweight loads.
Police Chief Rob Toth said police must catch the drivers breaking the law before they can pull them over, at least until its two patrolmen who are now training in motor carrier enforcement receive their certifications.
The two officers, Shawn Wood and Marcus Simms, conducted enforcement activities last Thursday in the borough with Canonsburg police officer Scott Bashioum, who is certified in motor carrier enforcement.
Toth also said he believed many of the overweight loads are using Route 19 because of restrictions on Route 19/21 due to construction in Morrisville and at Jackson Run.
Francis also suggested signs be posted on Richhill Street warning motorists they are entering a “congested area” and the borough check the condition of West Street, which recently has been used by heavy dump trucks.
Mayor Duncan Berryman said he recently spoke to state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, about the truck problem and was told to email his concerns to her so she could address them. He said he would forward Francis’ complaints to her. He said similar problems existed on Route 19 in Ruff Creek and she was able to help resolve them.
In a related item, Bryan Cumberledge, assistant borough manager, reported the summer paving project will include the paving of First Avenue, from West to Morris streets, Cumberland Street from High to Greene streets, and Franklin Street, from Route 19 to Morgan Street.
The borough had hoped to pave many more streets but has limited funds for the work, he said. The borough uses its liquid fuels money for paving. It has about $190,000 and will spend about $140,000 this year on paving, saving the rest for winter road maintenance, Cumberledge said.
In other news, Cumberledge said the borough has found no major sponsor for its youth summer playground program this year. Because the borough doesn’t have the money to support the program, it will not be held this summer. Each year the program has been funded by at least one major sponsor, who contributes $5,000 to $10,000 for its operation, he said.
Council approved the closing of Lincoln Street from Porter to East streets from 10:55 to 11:35 a.m. on May 25 for the Waynesburg VFW’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Council agreed to proceed with replacing the roof on the Midtown Auto building on Greene Street even though estimates were higher than originally proposed. Council voted last month to replace the roof at a cost not to exceed $6,500. The estimate to replacing the roof was actually higher, between $10,000 and $15,000, Cumberledge said. The borough will purchase materials and the work will be completed by an inmate work crew from the state Correctional Institution at Greene.