Published: October 19, 2008 11:21 pm      

Safety the focus of Cambria City improvements

PennDOT is moving forward with plans to improve safety throughout the congested Route 56 corridor in Johnstown’s West End.

And officials now say they will not be forced to relocate a Broad Street U-Haul business that has operated at the same location for more than 24 years.

That’s good news for U-Haul General Manager Joe Litvin, who said a move also would have affected numerous customers who rent storage space at the site.

“It’s a good location, and our customers know where we’re at and pass us every day,” Litvin said. “We’re really happy to be here.”

PennDOT’s planned Route 56 changes will begin on a sharp curve at Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street – the same spot where U-Haul sits. The state agency originally had said a redesign of that curve would necessitate relocation of the business.

But Jim Pruss, a senior project manager for PennDOT District 9, said plans now call for the curve to be “flattened slightly” in a way that will not affect U-Haul.

He added that the pavement will be banked to aid drivers rounding the curve.

While PennDOT and U-Haul benefit by avoiding a costly relocation, Pruss also said the new design is better because it still will require drivers to slow down.

“There was some concern that flattening that curve out would encourage people to increase their speed,” Pruss said.

PennDOT’s Route 56 upgrades will proceed through Cambria City and into the West End:

• Intersection improvements on Broad Street at Fourth, Fifth and Seventh avenues. Pruss said changes include improved traffic-signal timing and redesigned curbs to make turns easier.

Some parking spots may be eliminated, he added.

• A new traffic signal at Broad Street and Sixth Avenue, aiding drivers who are traveling to or coming from Brownstown.

• Intersection upgrades at Broad Street and Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield and D Street and at Strayer Street and Laurel Avenue. This will be similar to the work conducted in Cambria City.

Pruss said the state will not need to acquire any large chunks of property for the project.

“We may need a few square feet here and there,” he said, “but there will be no relocations.”

However, Pruss added that the work will require some “significant utility relocations” that could affect the project’s time frame.

“We’re scheduled to start construction sometime in mid- to late 2009 or 2010,” he said.

The spot improvements along Route 56 were developed after PennDOT, citing money shortages, pulled the plug on a planned West End Bypass in 2004.

While officials say any work on Route 56 is welcome, many believe PennDOT’s proposals will not do much to resolve traffic problems in the largely residential West End.

“Do I think it’s enough? No,” Johnstown City Manager Curt Davis said. “I still feel we have some issues with truck traffic going through that West End.”

The project also does not address the problematic “S” curve on Route 56 near the city line, though Pruss said PennDOT is looking at that location.

“Unfortunately, there are no funds available to advance the project,” Davis said.

On a related note, PennDOT has awarded a $10.3 million contract for replacement of Johnstown’s “structurally deficient” Coopersdale Bridge on Route 403 over the Conemaugh River.

Work will begin in the spring and stretch into summer 2010.

Charles J. Merlo Inc. of Mineral Point landed the job as the lowest of eight bidders.

Drivers will be able to use the 85-year-old span while the project progresses, since the contractor will build the new bridge slightly upstream from the current bridge.

Crews also will relocate a portion of Laurel Avenue in order to align it with the new bridge, Pruss said.