McADOO - It appears that plans to install flashing lights at an intersection on state Route 309 south of McAdoo in Kline Township are going to move forward.
At Monday's meeting, township supervisors said Van Hoekelen Co. officials may be looking to hire an engineering firm to install the necessary electrical connections for flashing lights at the Route 309 intersection with Lofty and Plant roads.
Kline Township would have to obtain the necessary permit, according to the supervisors, and also would like to place a stipulation on any recommended approval that the flashing lights will be maintained by Van Hoekelen. Neither condition has been negotiated by the township.
However, both sides agree that something has to be done due to increased car and truck traffic at the intersection.
Van Hoekelen's retail garden center and greenhouses, the Northeastern Power Co. cogeneration plant and trucks from J.D. Trucking and Russell Postupack all have contributed to the traffic at the intersection.
Township supervisors said about 16 serious vehicle crashes occurred over the past decade at the intersection, and are surprised there haven't been more.
The state Department of Transportation has maintained there are more congested intersections elsewhere and that the number of crashes doesn't appear to be very high over the past decade, but since there is more traffic now than a decade ago it might be a good idea to at least warn motorists with flashing lights.
