CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — “Work at night” was the number one solution offered by readers of exploreClarion.com after they were asked what they felt the solution to current traffic issues in the area.
Some suggested using bikes, back roads, or even finishing one project before starting another in addition to working at night. The night solution will be part of the Route 322 project once milling (scraping off of existing asphalt) is completed.
A massive milling and repaving project on Route 322 between Shippenville starting near the Fire Hall and eventually stretching to Clarion at the top of the River Hill by Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium has already caused significant delays in traffic and people are offering their opinions.
Add the Route 322 project to work on the “Clarion Curve” project near Comet Market on Route 68 and I-80 construction, and you have a situation where drivers are frustrated as the roads shift to one lane.
Dave Meagher, assistant construction manager for PennDOT District 10, Thursday afternoon told exploreClarion.com that once the final paving on Route 322 starts, it will be done at night.
“A little synopsis of the project is that they’re going to mill, and once the milling is done, they will do a transverse and longitudinal passing and, as needed, they will put a leveling course down and then pave it and clean up the project with some line painting and maybe some miscellaneous things,” said Meagher.
Completion of the project is set for September 30, but Meagher doesn’t think it will take that long. Autumn Leaf Festival is scheduled from September 26 to October 4 this year and that could add additional problems beyond daily problems now being experienced.
Following concerns raised by the Clarion Area School District because of delays in bus transportation and other concerns voiced by the public, PennDOT issued a travel advisory for the paving and milling operations.
“The work is part of the $2.4 million Route 322 resurfacing project between Maple Drive and Sheridan Drive in Paint, Clarion, and Elk Townships, and Shippenville and Clarion Boroughs and is being constructed by IA Construction Corporation,” stated the advisory.
PennDOT also urged motorists to remember to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones for their safety and the safety of the workers.
Clarion Area School District normally plans a 25-minute turnaround to transport students from Marianne to school, but Thursday saw long delays for both students and staff members.
“Our biggest impact is that we do a double run from Marianne, and that bus does a pickup in the morning of high school students, drops them off, and then goes back to pick up elementary students and then takes them to the elementary school,” explained CASD Superintendent Michael Stahlman.
“We plan on about a 25 minute turnaround on that run, and this morning (Thursday) they were sitting in traffic for about half an hour each way. It was definitely a problem this morning. We had a lot of late staff members and students this morning, and we were shuffling. We also work with our bus contractor to look at alternative routes for getting over there and look at adding a second bus for the afternoon which takes the elementary students over and comes back to pick up the high school students because we would miss dismissal time especially with afternoon traffic, and that would cause us problems.”
Clarion only has seven more days until the end of school, and Stahlman said the district can survive and get through the transportation problem, but it is difficult.
Why are many projects taking place at the same time?
“We’re going to try to do a little bit better next week and try to shorten things up, so the delays aren’t as long for them,” said Meagher.
Many people also asked why all of the projects were taking place at the same time.
In terms of the Route 68 “Clarion Curve” project, Meagher said it was often determined when funding became available.
“I think it is all determined by when funding is available for the project and released,” said Meahger. “The 68 ‘Clarion Curve’ project was let earlier and in the first year (2014), they demo’d the houses there, and this summer they are doing all of the utility relocations, and our construction will take place next summer (2016).”
What happens to the asphalt milled?
“The millings become the contractor’s property, and the contractor takes those back, and they can recycle them back in asphalt paving,” said Meagher. “Donegal Construction is the milling company, and the prime contractor for the project is IA Construction, so IA Construction will be the paving outfit.”
“Speak Out” Suggestions
In addition to the “work at night solution” a sampling of other comments and suggestions from readers about the situation includes:
Kevin Ashbaugh: Project Planners that look at the big picture. I sure hope that there is no disaster in Clarion during this BS.
Hugh Callenish: Do you pave roads or not? A little inconvenience for a short term or potholes and bad pavement for the long term.
Ty Rone: Deal with it. People will b*tch either way so it doesn’t matter.
Aidan Kay: Ummm finish one project before you start another. Simple solution.
Melissa Bauer: Do the work at night or at least not plan all of it at once so there are alternate routes. also when the flag people stop cars, they should let, say, 10 cars go then switch sides instead of letting 1/2 hour worth of traffic go through at a time. at least that would make it seem to go faster.
Matt Knight: Wow! I’m sorry but everyone has to be in a hurry to go go go or rush. I worked road construction for several years and I know how people get prissy when orange cones and stop/slow paddles come out.
Jake Hoffman: A bypass for 322 would be really nice. Maybe link Pine Terrace Rd with Bryners Mill Rd. Then when there are wrecks and construction between Shippenville and Marianne you could dump the southbound and eastbound traffic over there. Currently there is no decent way around that area. I’ll bet the guys at Shippenville Fire would love to have an option as well.
Lisa Geer: Please remember that those “back roads” that everyone is taking, are back roads, respect them and the people that always use them and live on them!!! I almost got hit head on when I was taking my normal route home on Beaver Furnace Road by someone going way to fast on the dirt road and on my side of the road!!!
Aly Delp: Planning does seem to be an issue. Too many stop and go construction zones in a fairly small but higher traffic area. I really feel bad for the small children on the buses in this.
Dennis L Hartle Jr.: Agree with the flagging bit..they should not allow any more than 10-15 vehicles to back up before allowing them thru..and don’t make construction zones on two lane roads any more than 1/2 to 3/4 mile long.
Chris Ensminger: I’m glad everyone doesn’t work like these construction crews.. We would have 1/2 houses and buildings up all over the place not being finished for year. If the jobs too big to handle get more people to work on it or find a company that will finish it.
Bj Wrhen: I would say take a boat, but you can’t even hardly get one on the river with the dam project! Lol.
Zane Mechling: Give free lessons on how to drive.
Michele Oxenham Wice: I can’t believe they would work on the only two ways west out of Clarion. Doesn’t matter if you leave early there isn’t any way to determine how long you will be stopped. Can’t they stop construction during the peak travel times for work!!! Can’t wait to see how bad it will be this holiday weekend!!!
Barbara Ford: Allow police to write tags for stupidity, but since that is not going to happen, have a greater police presence in the higher traffic areas. There is no 1 solution that will work, but caution, cooperation and people that know how to direct traffic smoothly.
Look at all of the reader comments on the Facebook version at https://www.facebook.com/exploreClarion.
