FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — PennDOT’s northwest region is holding a second open house meeting on the Route 8 Asset Management and Corridor Improvement Study between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Franklin Area Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium.

A presentation from PennDOT and Michael Baker International will be provided at 5:45 p.m. An update on the study to review recommendations for the corridor will be discussed.

In March, PennDOT District 1 announced that the Route 8 Asset Management and Corridor Improvement Study had been refined to focus on four-lane options for the roadway. Prior to that, there had been discussions that the roadway could be turned into two lanes from just north of Barkeyville to Franklin. That discussion received a lot of negative feedback from local citizens, businesses, and leaders.

At Tuesday’s meeting, PennDOT and Michael Baker International are expected to share information on the study’s purpose, status, schedule, existing and forecasted roadway condition and an evaluation of the ideas considered, according to a release from PennDOT. Also, the recommended four-lane option will be available for review and comment. PennDOT representatives, along with design consultants, will make a brief presentation and will be available to answer questions.

PennDOT has been studying options to best manage and improve Route 8 (Richard Frame Memorial Highway) in Venango County between Georgetown Road in Irwin Township and DeBence Drive in Sandy Creek Township, a distance of about 10.5 miles.

The purpose of the study is to identify issues related to existing Route 8, including existing and future traffic operations, safety, corridor deficiencies, roadway and bridge conditions, support of planning initiatives, and support of the regional economy. Maintenance of the roadway is becoming more costly and the existing concrete pavement and bridges are approaching the end of their design life.

The study has examined options for improvements or changes to the roadway configuration and determined a long-range strategy for maintaining and improving the corridor.

The public is welcome to attend at any time during the open house hours.

The meeting location is handicapped accessible.