Washington Twp. might lower speed limits

August 03, 2009|By JENNIFER FITCH

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- The Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors tackled several issues related to roads during their meeting Monday.

Carroll Sturm, Christopher Firme and Elaine Gladhill, the three supervisors in attendance, started the process to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on two roads. One is a much-debated portion of Mentzer Gap Road from Greenridge Drive to a few hundred feet from Valleywood Drive.

Included in that section is a slight curve near Hearthwood Drive, where some people say trees owned by James and Vivian Hickman are causing visibility problems. Township officials recently met with the Hickmans to talk about trimming or moving the most problematic tree.

"They basically asked for a couple weeks, while they have (house) guests, to not deal with this," Township Manager Mike Christopher said.

The other road facing a reduced speed limit is Scott Road for the 2,000 feet south of Pa. 16.

In other business, the supervisors talked about the possible temporary closure of North Welty Road near Pa. 16. The developers of Antietam Commons farther back North Welty Road are preparing to widen the front section to four lanes.

Christopher said no one has formed a strong proposal for how to detour traffic, most of which would be leaving Martin's Food Market or accessing two nearby medical facilities.

"It's a problematic intersection," he said.

The developers have been asked to present plans to staff and supervisors in coming weeks.

Currently, shale is being used to establish North Welty Road's subbase as it is extended to meet Washington Township Boulevard, Sturm said.

Washington Township Boulevard is a $16.7 million relief route being built north of Waynesboro. Its development has stalled due to a lack of available funds, Sturm said.

Construction is mostly finished for the Washington Township Boulevard bridge near the Robert E. Stum Soccer Complex on Country Club Road.

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