Council discusses College Heights traffic diverters

Many borough residents at last night's State College Borough Council work session may have hoped to make comments and express concerns about the traffic diverters in College Heights.

But the only information they received was what State College Planning Commission planning director Carl Hess called "very preliminary."

Last night's session did not allow borough residents to voice opinions about the diverters, which are not permanent because the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation must approve the traffic-pattern changes.

Approximately 430 surveys were recently distributed to residents of the College Heights neighborhood concerning the diverters in various places in East College Heights last June; 284 were returned.

The traffic barriers were placed on North Allen Street at Adams and Hillcrest Avenues, Mitchell Avenue at Thomas Street, Hillcrest Avenue at Allen Street, and Adams Avenue at Allen Street in an attempt to alleviate traffic and noise problems. A cul-de-sac was also placed at an intersection on North Burrowes Street.

Council heard presentations from Hess, who presented only early results from the survey, which ended about a week ago, and from engineering consultant Mark Magalotti of Trans Associates in Pittsburgh, who surveyed traffic patterns before and after the diverters were in place.

Of the residents who responded to the survey, 52 percent favored having the diverters, while the remaining percent opposed them, Hess said. After the diverters were in place, he said, the majority of those responding to the survey felt the traffic volume on Park Avenue was "heavy and objectionable." But in other areas like Allen Street, Hillcrest Avenue and Ridge Avenue, residents felt the traffic volumes were moderate or even low, he said.

"As another alternative, let's take out the barriers, the cul-de-sacs, and open Allen Street again," council member Richard McCarl said. "Let's work with Allen Street."

Overall, traffic in East College Heights decreased except on Ridge Avenue. Park Avenue and North Atherton Street both saw increases, as was intended because both can handle high traffic volumes, Magalotti said.

The diverters decreased the amount of traffic on North Allen, but increased traffic on Park Avenue, which borders the University. But for residents in College Heights, the new traffic patterns also cause inconveniences for those used to traveling North Allen and being able to continue straight on the street.

Before the diverters were put in on North Allen, the street was used as a shortcut to the University from North Atherton Street.