Work continues on Waynesboro's 'relief route'

June 07, 2006|by JENNIFER FITCH

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Crews have started paving 1,000 feet of road that eventually will be a section of Washington Township Boulevard stretching through the Spring Run development and connecting to Country Club Road.

The road is being constructed on the east side of Gehr Road, near the intersection of Stottlemyer Road, to provide access to the 180-unit Spring Run development of Ryan Homes, Washington Township (Pa.) Manager Mike Christopher said.

Water lines are being installed between Old Forge Road and Gehr Road, and must be complete before Washington Township Boulevard is paved in that area, township officials said.

The Spring Run development and another from Pen Mar Properties could cause the so-called "phase three" of Washington Township Boulevard, from Gehr Road to Country Club Road, to be finished before "phase two" spanning from Old Forge Road to Country Club Road, Christopher said.

"Phase Three is completely development-driven," Christopher said.

Indications are the third phase could be completed in 2006 or 2007, while the entire length of Washington Township Boulevard is projected to be open by 2014.

Washington Township Boulevard, a relief route designed to funnel traffic north of Waynesboro, will cost about $14.3 million. Engineers have projected that traffic impact fees assessed on new development will generate $12.6 million for construction of the road, documents said.

The first phase has been completed, allowing motorists to travel from Pa. 16 at Rouzerville Commons to Old Forge Road.

Rouzerville Commons is a shopping center housing Wal-Mart and Lowe's, and the property will eventually include a Sheetz, sporting goods store, hair salon, Chinese restaurant, Hollywood Video and Check 'N Go.

Echo Real Estate/Development of Pittsburgh has already paid $250,000 in impact fees, has $100,000 in escrow for a traffic light and built a portion of Washington Township Boulevard. Sheetz will cost the developer another $65,915 in impact fees.

North Welty Road will be extended to intersect with Washington Township Boulevard, essentially making it part of the relief system. North Welty Road will cross the former Diller and Pifer farms through commercial and residential development by WAM Enterprises Inc. of Lemoyne, Pa., and the Rachuba Group of Eldersburg, Md.

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