Board endorses funding for inner loop

By JOEL MYERS
Collegian Staff Writer

PATTON TOWNSHIP -- Funding for the Eastern Inner Loop study was endorsed by the Patton Township Board of Supervisors at its meeting last night.

The initial estimate to fund the two-phased study of environmental impact and preliminary engineering of the Loop was $500,000. The Centre Region Transportation Committee submitted the proposal.

The Board of Supervisors resubmitted its consent of the project last night, despite the new total cost of the study, found to be more than $1 million.

The Eastern Inner Loop is a road system proposed to lessen congestion on Atherton Street by connecting University Drive with Clinton Avenue, Vairo Boulevard and the Mount Nittany Expressway.

Township manager Tom Kurtz said there was no foreseeable impact to taxes.

The board also discussed plans to develop a 4,200-square foot Sheetz Convenience Store at the intersection of North Atherton Street and Valley Vista Drive.

Ken Szala, director of land development and municipal services of Pellegrini Engineers Inc., said preliminary plans for the store are under consideration by his company. Szala, who is working with the developer, said the developer may use the land to build the Sheetz store and an additional establishment. The developer is considering the possibility of a bank or video store to occupy the back half of the parcel.

Entrances for the Sheetz are planned for both Valley Vista Drive and North Atherton Street, Szala said. The plans for the convenience store include space for 49 parking spaces and nine gas pumps.

Township Supervisor Karen Drosnes is concerned about the traffic at the intersection. A traffic study is underway for the project, but she would like to see intersection improvement also considered.

Issues of sidewalks, bus routes and pedestrian crossings also were discussed. Council members are concerned about pedestrian traffic at the North Atherton Street and Valley Vista Drive intersection.