May 23, 2015 2 min read

The May 4 editorial stated, “Greene County residents should have access to better roads.” I pretty much agree with that statement. I have always been an advocate for better, expanded roads.

Some years back, I was appointed, along with 50 other Greene County residents, to the Morrisville Traffic Corridor Task Force. Only a single guideline was issued: That was, in typical local fashion, that a bypass of Waynesburg and Morrisville not be considered.

The task force exercised due diligence for 18 months, when the options were reduced from five to two. As the task force prepared to make the final choice, the entire effort was abruptly and unceremoniously disbanded with no explanation or reason given.

So what did the residents of Greene County wind up with? In addition to the problems cited in the editorial, the corridor speed limit was reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph. More importantly, the Morrisville railroad underpass, situated in the Ten Mile Creek flood plane, is being widened from two lanes to four.

Then, of course, there is that recently constructed, multibillion-dollar eyesore, the Morris Street Bridge, located in the southern part of Waynesburg. It is impossible for me to imagine that the Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful group was given a voice in that project.

The editorial suggests that PennDOT officials in Harrisburg should beef up budgets and work forces in order to keep up with the demand. From my perspective, that suggestion is ill-advised. The solution does not rest in Harrisburg. The solution is in Greene County.

During his tenure as state senator, Barry Stout strived heroically to lead Greene County into the 21st century with construction of a traffic bypass of Waynesburg and Morrisville. The dark and mysterious forces that rule over Greene County soundly defeated that effort.

Paul Lagojda

Cumberland Township