Plans unveiled
A group of people review early plans to widen a Route 519 corridor between the Route 19 southbound ramp intersections and the two Interstate 79 ramp intersections.
A meeting was held Wednesday at the North Strabane Township municipal building to unveil preliminary plans for improvements to Route 519, which include road widening, installing traffic signals and adding a two-way left turn lane.
The four-way stop that unites routes 519, 19 and 980 in North Strabane Township has made many drivers ponder, “Whose turn is it, anyway?”
The highly-trafficked intersection is a source of much trepidation, but the state Department of Transportation unveiled a plan it hopes will enhance safety. Preliminary plans to widen a corridor of Route 519, install traffic signals and add a center two-way turning lane were made public Wednesday at the North Strabane municipal building.
“It’s a high-volume roadway with over 16,000 vehicles a day,” said PennDOT project manager Nancy Kolenc. “It’s a shortcut from I-70 to I-79 that a lot of people use, and it was on a high crash cluster list.”
Construction is slated to begin as early as spring 2017, and the project is expected to cost about $21 million. The road will be widened to allow a center turning lane to be added along the corridor of Route 519 from the I-79 off-ramps to the four-way intersection. Three traffic signals will be installed at the intersection and at the two I-79 ramp intersections.
One house is directly in the path of the project, which means it could be taken through eminent domain if PennDOT proceeds with its original plan. Portions of other private properties, such as driveways, would also be affected.
The municipal building was packed Wednesday, and a line formed behind several displays showing renderings of the road. The proposed project also includes the construction of a private road and cul-de-sac to service several homeowners who currently use the southbound Route 19 off-ramp to access their driveways.
Keith Ranone said he is looking forward to the private road, even if it means having his driveway shortened.
“It’s a little bit hectic getting in and out of our driveway now,” he said. “At certain times of day, you almost need a red light there to stop traffic so I can get out the door to work.”
He said he has seen many cars speed through the four-way intersection without stopping, and he thinks a traffic signal is a wise idea.
“It’s hard to miss a red light,” he added.
Project plans are expected to be finalized by winter 2017, which leaves plenty of time for residents to submit feedback.
Kolenc said most people seemed to open to the changes.
“Some of them have concerns about driveways, or they didn’t realize where the PennDOT right-of way was,” she said, “but overall, it seems like everyone is pretty receptive.”