Safety, parting concerns raised over Electric Avenue project
Route options remain under study for proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements
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LEWISTOWN -- Derry Township Supervisor Joe Ughetto raised concerns about parking and pedestrian safety as planners study options for proposed sidewalk and bicycle improvements along Electric Avenue.
During a township supervisors meeting held Monday, Ughetto said he spoke with Mifflin County Planning Director James Lettiere about those concerns. Mifflin County commissioners approved moving forward with the project, with a feasibility study to help determine its route and design. Electric Avenue is a state road, although it is within the township.
"I emphasized to Jim that there are 18-plus businesses on the one side of the road that they are considering," Ughetto said.
He also raised concerns about traffic coming off U.S. 322 at Mill Road.
Ughetto expressed concern that the proposed sidewalks would reduce parking for affected businesses.
"It is my understanding ... this is to get kids to school safer," Ughetto said, questioning whether there was a safe location for a crosswalk on Electric Avenue.
"People don't pay attention driving down through there," he said.
Ughetto said Lettiere told him after a walkthrough that the proposed improvements would not extend to Ort Valley Road.
The original proposal called for 6-foot-wide bike lanes and 5-foot-wide sidewalks along the east side of Electric Avenue, beginning at Ort Valley Road and ending at the entrance to Kish Park. Ughetto said traffic and safety concerns could lead planners to consider other options, including the hospital side of the road, depending on the feasibility study's findings.
Ughetto said a project meeting is scheduled for later this month, noting that more information would come soon.
"After the feasibility study, they're going to open it up to businesses located on Electric Avenue for review and discussion," Ughetto said.
He said Lettiere hopes to present at least five viable options for review and discussion.
The project aims to improve existing sidewalks and construct new sidewalks where needed, upgrade pedestrian crossings, install refuge islands and new safety signs, create a dedicated bicycle/shared-use path and make other safety improvements for vulnerable road users along Electric Avenue.
The next Derry Township supervisors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Derry Township Senior Center, a change from its usual location.