Franklin Council Continues Discussion of Intersection Safety Issues

| May 4, 2021

FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – The discussion on the safety of intersections in Franklin was a major topic of discussion again at Monday evening’s Franklin City Council meeting.

According to city manager Tracy Jamieson, several short-term fixes for the ongoing problems at the Washington Crossing intersections have been suggested.

The topic has been under consideration since Franklin community development coordinator Sheila Boughner, who is still recovering from injuries, was struck by a vehicle in the area in February.

Jamieson noted she had recently witnessed a vehicle running the red light at Washington Crossing and nearly causing yet another collision.

“It’s still a problem,” Jamieson said.

Jamieson told the council some of the possible short-term solutions suggested have been ways of bringing more attention to the traffic lights at the Washington Crossing and Elk Street intersection or the addition of an all ways stop for several seconds to allow pedestrians to begin crossing before any of the lights turn green.

Any of these changes would most likely have to be funded by the city, according to Jamieson.

The city is still, however, receiving responses to the intersection safety committee’s survey that was created in March, which will also add to the ongoing safety considerations.

According to Fire Chief Jim Wetzel, who is the head of the safety committee, the city has already received nearly 200 survey results from area residents. The survey, which queries residents about traffic safety issues all over Franklin, will be available via the city’s website until Thursday.

Paving Projects

Another major topic of discussion during the meeting was areas of the city streets that are in need of repaving.

According to Jamieson, they have received many requests regarding some areas, including the 900 block and the 200 block of Elk Street, that the city will not consider repaving at this time due to planned pipe replacement projects.

“We don’t want to do anything until those lines are replaced,” Jamieson noted.

There are currently water, sewer, and stormwater projects pending that will keep the city from repaving certain areas because it simply “doesn’t make sense” to repave an area that will then be torn back up for those projects, Jamieson said.

Franklin Rotary Seeks Approval for Peace Pole

During the meeting, Franklin Rotary president Chad Ellis spoke to the council about a Rotary project seeking permission to place a “peace pole” in Fountain Park in the corner of the park nearest 12th and Liberty.

The pole will celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary while also promoting the ideal of peace in the local community.

Ellis noted that while peace poles are an internationally recognized symbol utilized by Rotary Clubs worldwide, there is only one in existence in Pennsylvania so far, in Slippery Rock.

The plan for the placement includes a mulched area with several plants or shrubs that would be maintained by the club, as well as a stone with a plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the club.

Council members gave the project their unanimous approval.

Park and Parade Requests

The council approved the following park and parade requests:

– June 1, 3rd Street Park, Bandstand Park for 2021 Senior Day;
– June 14, Bandstand Park for a Flag Retirement Ceremony;
– June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, and August 10, Bandstand Park, for Family Movies in the Park;
– June 18 through June 20, Fountain Park, Bandstand Park, and 12th Street Island for Blues & BBQ Festival;
– June 24 through July 4, Fountain Park, Bandstand Park, 12th Street Island, and Riverfront Park for 4th of July Festivities Week;
– July 2 and July 3, Perimeters of Fountain Park and Bandstand Park for Tyler Carey Memorial Ruck and Ride;
– July 23, Bandstand Park for Venango County Employee Picnic; and
– September 24, Bandstand Park for Venango County Recovery Event.

Other Business

In other business, the council:

– Approved giving the fire department $20,000.00 of COVID grant money to purchase new hoses to replace hoses that have worn out.

– Approved a city facilities study looking at various improvements to city buildings, including energy efficiency.

– Approved a temporary easement agreement for PennDOT’s multimodal trail projects along Washington Crossing and Allegheny Boulevard.


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