PennDOT to Address LH Intersections
By Scott Johnson
LOCK HAVEN – City officials are encouraging residents concerned with the intersections of Main and Hanna streets and Water and Grove streets to attend the Sept. 23 meeting of City Council as a representative from PennDOT will attend to provide information, answer questions, hear comments; and, possibly make decisions on the intersection.
The state transportation department would like to see the City remove traffic signal lights at the two intersections.
Council, at its last meeting, heard the results of a “traffic signal removal analysis engineering and traffic study,” which recommended the removal of the existing signal lights.
The PennDOT study came as the traffic signals at the Main – Hanna intersection are inoperable and stop signs have been placed on both sides of Hanna Street emptying onto Main Street.
City officials have indicated they have no desire to make short term repairs to the existing lights due to the cost involved.
“PennDOT will be here on Sept. 23,” said City Manager Greg Wilson. “They are receptive to what council wants. They are very receptive about what you have to say. Traffic and control is a focus by PennDOT and they would like to hear what the community says.”
“The public has a very high concern with this,” said Councilman Rick Conklin, as he urged the two media representatives to publicize this meeting on Sept. 23, starting at 7 p.m.
Further on that date, council will hold a public hearing on the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program.
Normally, the city CDBG program does not bring about any, if at all, public discussion with large grants given per requests from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to have all requests above $10,000 due to the large paperwork required by all entities involved in the process.
“As previously stated DCED continues to encourage grantees to limit the number of activities fund by the CDBG grant award,” state a letter from Smith to council. “In limiting the number of activities, local governments should focus on larger projects (over $10,000 in funds) that have more impact in assisting low and moderate-income people and communities.”
DCED allocated $298,504 for Lock Haven in 2019. The city has requested $211,538 for the East Main Street paving project (Grant Street to city line) to mill and pave four blocks along East Water Street from North Jay to Grant streets and the reconstruction for two handicap ramps.
The other project is for $33,235 for excavation and installation of safe-fall surface under the swings at Piper-Harmon Playground, along with $53,730 in administration cost (maximum 18 percent.)
However, council Monday night gave its consensus to add a $5,000 request from the Clinton County Housing Coalition for the city’s share for a kitchen rehabilitation.
Wilson said the money for the Housing Coalition could come from the general fund, if needed.
“I would much rather use CDBG funding instead of the general fund for the Housing Coalition request,” said Councilman Steve Stevenson. “I just don’t like to spend general fund money when it’s available through CDBG.”
“A passion of mine for the past 12 years is I’ve never been happy with using CDBG funds for paving projects. That used to be spent through the general fund,” Conklin said, adding that he also agrees with the agencies’ concerns with paperwork involved with projects under $10,000.
The full list will be discussed on Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
