Since the opening of Weis there has been a safety issue on SR 739 and Water Forest Dr. in the town of Dingmans Ferry. A turning lane was installed just over the crest of a hill with no signage to warn drivers that the car in front of them may be making a sudden left turn. The turning lane provided, post construction, is far too short for a safe merge, and cars following a turning vehicle are unaware of the change in the traffic pattern.
A PennDOT expert reviewed the problem and gave his recommendations, of which I am aware of. PennDOT’s response was for me to start over again with the township, who have recorded accident events at the location, to file on the HOA’s benefit. Then, PennDOT will reevaluate the situation and make recommendations, again.
This is not an HOA issue, it’s a safety issue involving anyone driving on the PennDOT-maintained state road. When I asked about a traffic study, I was told that one was done preconstruction, when there were easily hundreds less cars daily. Adding insult to injury, there’s a school bus stop at the said intersection. The ball was dropped by the state in granting approval on a job that was not done properly.
Do we need to continue letting the bureaucracy drag their feet and then do the right thing, “after the fact?” I started this campaign over a year ago and all PennDOT does is avoid responsibility. Either Weis, the engineering firm, or PennDOT needs to resolve the issue before it’s fatal.
Thank you for any help you may be able to provide. If neighbors can’t look out for each other, what good are we?
John Michael Grohl
Dingmans Ferry