STRUGGLING TO ACCOMODATE WAL-MART TRAFFIC IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, PA

Franklin Twp. weighs ban on left turns from McCall Bridge [Morning Call (Pa.)]

A revised traffic signal plan tabled by Franklin Township supervisors Tuesday would no longer allow traffic to turn left from the Thomas McCall Bridge onto Canal Street to enter Weissport, officials said.

After a full review, officials said, the township may adopt the idea.

For years, traffic crossing the bridge on Route 209 into Franklin Township from the Lehighton side has been delayed by motorists waiting to make the turn. The traffic signal has no left-turn arrow.

The proposed revision is part of a project that would replace current traffic signals on the bridge and along Mahoning Township’s busy Route 443 commercial corridor with high-tech signals that use high-frequency radio waves to count cars and then adjust the length of the red- and green-light cycles.

The new lights, officials said, seem to be the most feasible way to deal with increases in traffic volume expected from a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Mahoning Township.

Wal-Mart has agreed to help pay for the light upgrades as part of state Department of Transportation regulations that require developers to address traffic impact before a highway occupancy permit can be issued.

As part of a required traffic study, engineers looked at the bridge as well as the Ninth Street-Route 443 intersection and the entrances to the Carbon Plaza Mall and the Wal-Mart store across Route 443 from the Plaza.

Supervisors tabled a decision on the revised permit plan until it can be reviewed and approved by township solicitor Thomas Nanovic and township engineer Ron Tirpak of Carbon Engineering.

Also Tuesday, supervisors voted to apply for grants for upgrades at Phifer Ice Dams park, which would include repairs to a small bridge there, as well as the clearing of brush to make way for picnic area pavilions.

One pavilion is at the community park now, along with a playground, Little League baseball field and fishing areas, which are maintained by the Franklin Township Lions Club.

Township Secretary Sandy Gaumer also said the dams desperately need to be dredged, as the Franklin Township Fire Company can no longer use them as a source of water because of the large amounts of silt.

In another matter, supervisors passed an ordinance requiring 15 homes on Wagner Street to connect to the township’s water system.

Although about $137,000 in state Community Development Block Grant funds paid for the necessary construction, meters and other expenses, homeowners are still responsible for disconnecting their private wells and hooking into the municipal system.

Supervisor Paul Kocher said homeowners may continue to use private wells for things like watering flowers or washing cars—anything that doesn’t involve human consumption of the water.

Posted by Joel Nezianya on Thursday, July 17, 2008