Jan 9, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners are wasting little time moving forward with plans to make needed roadway improvements on Route 21 across from the Greene County Airport.

On Thursday, the board voted to make application with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a new traffic signal at Route 21 and Murtha Drive that will enhance a new entrance to the airport, all part of an ambitious plan to convert part of the airport into a business park.

Presently, the stoplight at Route 21 and Murtha Drive leading to the Walmart is a three-way intersection despite terminating right at the airport’s doorstep. To enter the airport, one has to use a service road and with a new traffic light, along with a new entrance to the airport, that three-way intersection will turn into a seamless four-way intersection, helping to move vehicles smoothly in and out of the property.

The commissioners’ action Thursday comes less than a week after U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, brought the commissioners a ceremonial check representing an $800,000 infrastructure grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Federal Highway Administration to be used toward financing the airport improvement project.

The commissioners also awarded a $709,050 contract to Port Vue Plumbing Inc. for renovations to the Mon View Swimming Pool.

The base bid of $580,000 was the lowest of the three submitted. The other two came from Stoneridge Inc., $763,400, and Specialty Pool Contractors Inc., $578,780.

The Port Vue Plumbing contract also includes seven alternate bids for things such as a water slide, climbing wall, an arch jet and winterization covers.

And, as expected the commissioners approved the deed/title transfer of the Whitehill Place, transitional housing apartments in Waynesburg Borough, to Connect Inc., a low-income housing nonprofit that will manage the complex.