Grant money sought for traffic light

March 02, 2009|By JENNIFER FITCH

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Grant money will be sought to install a traffic light at the intersection of Pa. 16 and Northeast Avenue in Waynesboro, municipal officials said Monday.

In early 2008, dozens of residents spoke strongly in favor of a new traffic light, while also criticizing a proposal that would have made Northeast Avenue a one-way road. Their comments supporting a traffic light serve as the basis of a cooperative effort by the Borough of Waynesboro and Washington Township to seek money for its installation.

"It'll benefit everybody -- Washington Township, Quincy Township, borough residents. It'll benefit the whole community," said Ronnie Martin, a Waynesboro councilman who serves as chairman of the street committee.

Pa. 16 is a state road. Although the Northeast Avenue pavement is in Waynesboro borough, the eastern edge of it serves as the boundary with Washington Township, according to Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger.

The road serves as a connection for traffic associated with developments north of Waynesboro, especially those on Stottlemyer and Gehr roads. Martin said Quincy Township residents often use Stottlemyer Road and Northeast Avenue to get into town.

"Almost all the traffic on Northeast Avenue is township traffic," Hamberger said.

The borough manager said he hasn't been eyeing any specific grant.

"We're basically going to contact the state and find out where we can get money," he said.

Washington Township Manager Mike Christopher said the supervisors agreed to support any grant application. However, they will not commit local money at this point, considering the poor economy, he said.

Martin, who hopes the light would make left turns safer, said state officials often see more merit in applications being supported by more than one municipality.

The newest light on Pa. 16, the one at Oller Avenue, was installed using a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

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