Diverters still on borough agenda

Council passes measure asking PennDOT for new traffic options

Traffic in State College, especially the East College Heights neighborhood, dominated discussion at the State College Borough Council meeting last night.

Residents from Ridge Avenue in East College Heights expressed their disappointment with an increased amount of traffic on their road.

They complained that Ridge Avenue has become a commuter road as opposed to a residential road because of the East College Heights Traffic diverter placement. They also complained about an increase in illegal turns onto and off the street and excessive speeding on the avenue.

Current traffic restrictions on Ridge Avenue are a "No Left Turn" from Atherton Street onto Ridge Avenue at certain times and a "Do Not Enter" sign posted on Ridge Avenue restricting any access onto Atherton Street from 4 to 6 p.m.

On council's recommendation, State College Police Department Chief Tom King said the police force will be conducting investigations of traffic patterns on Ridge Avenue. They will also step up enforcement on the avenue.

"This is fair warning," King said. "We're going to be out there writing tickets."

King said a $92 citation will be given to those who violate any moving vehicle restrictions.

Later, Council member Donald Hahn made a proposal regarding the diverters. The resolution called for the council to state their intent to remove the diverters upon completion of the proposed Eastern Inner Loop.

Some council members said that passing the resolution would commit future borough councils to decide on removing or retaining the diverters at a time that may be against their will. The resolution did not pass.

"Once data on the Inner Loop is gathered, I'm sure any council will be ready to re-study the issue," said council member Tom Daubert.

Council member James Meyer called for a new evaluation of the East College Heights streets. He suggested the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation help council create two or three new options for traffic mitigation.

Since the diverters were erected nearly two years ago, PennDOT has created a new office to help municipalities with similar traffic problems, Meyer said.

The council passed this measure, 4-3.

In other business, council approved a trial period to increase the limit on some downtown parking meters from 60 to 90 minutes. This measure will affect about 300 meters for now.

Some council members expressed concern that University students would take advantage of the 90 minutes to park and attend class.

"If they're all filled up with students there won't be any spaces for patrons (of downtown businesses)," council member Janet Knauer said.

Borough Council President Jean McManis said the move is a trade-off and will be evaluated for effectiveness. If the extended time limit becomes a problem for downtown businesses, the trial period can be suspended.