‘It’s a bit of a headache’
KHEDIVE – Construction along Route 21 in Jefferson Township is causing lengthy delays and traffic headaches for motorists who regularly use the heavily traveled highway.
Ginelle Michael, who works in county government and commutes each day to Waynesburg from her home in Uniontown, has seen a number of reconstruction projects on Route 21 in recent years, but she thinks the delays during this most recent work are longer.
“For some reason, this string of construction seems to be the worst it’s ever been,” Michael said. “It’s a bit of a headache, but what can you do? There’s only one way to go.”
The state Department of Transportation is paying Golden Eagle Construction Co. $1.3 million to mill, repair joints and repave a 2.6-mile section of the busy highway between Rolling Meadows and Gwynn roads in Jefferson Township. Work began in late March and is on schedule to be completed by the end of May, PennDOT spokeswoman Valerie Petersen said.
The flaggers are positioned far from the center of construction area, which Petersen said is to allow enough “sight distance” for approaching motorists to see the stoppage ahead.
“It is time consuming and when you do have a higher amount of travelers, it makes you feel that you’re there longer,” Petersen said. “But they’re doing everything they can to make it move faster.”
She noted other sections of Route 21 were reconstructed in recent years. In the spring two years ago, PennDOT completed the resurfacing of about a 2-mile section of the road between Gwynn and Fox roads in Cumberland Township. In 2012, a slightly longer section of the road was repaved between Baileys Crossroads and the Paisley intersection.
With the recent construction, some motorists reported waiting 15 or 20 minutes before being able to pass through the section. Greene County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall acknowledged motorists don’t have many other options if they’re driving between Waynesburg and the Mon Valley.
“I’ve heard people say they’ve been stuck for a long time,” Marshall said. “I just don’t know how you get around that.”
Cumberland Township Supervisor Bill Groves said the repairs are badly needed because of the amount of heavy truck traffic on Route 21. He’s heard few complaints from residents who have to travel from the township toward Waynesburg.
“It is what it is,” Groves said. “They’re doing what they said they’re going to do. Everyone’s adjusted. I can’t believe it’s any different.”
But Michael said there was one day earlier this month when her 45-minute commute home nearly doubled in time while eastbound traffic sat at a stand-still for at least 30 minutes near Rolling Meadows Road. She tried alternate routes, but the most direct path remains Route 21.
“It is bad and if you do get stuck in it, you’re sitting there for a while,” she said. “It’s a popular (road) and there’s no other easy way to go.”
Petersen asked for patience from motorists for another few weeks until the project is completed later next month.
“It’s rocking and rolling, and the good news is that it’s not too far away from the end,” Petersen said.