Borough Council holds session to discuss diverters

Residents from all parts of State College attended last night's State College Borough Council special session to have their say on the issue of the East College Heights traffic diverters that were put in place nearly a year ago.

The traffic mitigation changes were the closing of North Burrowes Street where it intersects with Hillcrest Avenue; the installation of diagonal diverters at the intersection of Mitchell Avenue and Thomas Street and at the North Allen Street-Adams Street-Hillcrest Avenue intersection; reversal of the stop signs at Holmes Street and Hartswick Street and at McKee Street and Hartswick Street; and a one-way traffic pattern installed on the 100 block of Ridge Avenue.

Opinions varied widely, but residents of the College Heights neighborhood were mostly in favor of keeping the diverters.

"The diverters have definitely improved the interior of East College Heights," said Mary Barnes, 213 E. Mitchell Ave. "I'm asking for (the council) to accept them as they are."

But others were very opposed to the diverters.

"Our lives are in danger," said Peg Miskovsky, who lives on the corner of Park Avenue and Atherton Street. "I can't back out of my driveway. You are devaluing our property. The solution to the problem is not to dump it on Park Avenue. Get rid of the diverters or you're going to cost lives."

Other residents agreed with her, also citing possible alternatives.

"I really shudder to think that there would be a serious accident or a fire in College Heights because it would be very difficult to get equipment to the scene," said Stan Shepherd, 868 W. Aaron Dr. "We could consider speed bumps or convince PennDot to have stop signs."

"We have a crisis traffic situation here," said Howard Gilliland, 1008 N. Atherton St. "The only streets that have justified mitigation are Atherton, Park and Allen."

Many brought up the issue of safety in the neighborhoods involving cars violating traffic laws, children in the streets and vandalism. Rick Tetzlaff, 126 Edith St., spoke on the behalf of many residents who came to him.

"The neighborhoods are not safer," he said. "We feel that there are better solutions. There are alternatives. Take (the diverters) out and let us help."

Some council members are still not sure how they will vote when the time comes, though.

"I have to look at all the testimony again, all of the notes," said council member Ruth Lavin. "I'm not sure I heard anything new."

Lavin also commented on the tone of the session.

"I thought it was a very civil meeting," Lavin said. "I'm very pleased."

Council member Jean McManis agreed.

"There were points made I haven't heard before," she said. "I was very proud of the community and it was very civil in spite of the emotional extremity of people's feelings. It is civilized."