Pocono News Section

PennDOT Leaves Road to Nowhere In the Poconos

PennDOT Leaves Road to Nowhere In the Poconos - Monday, June 1, 2009 at 9:10PM EST

MARSHALLS CREEK, MONROE COUNTY - It's an on again off again project that's been causing controversy for decades. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) spent millions of tax dollars to get the Marshalls Creek Bypass moving in Monroe County.
Now, it's working on a smaller version than originally planned. Unfinished construction is bothering Middle Smithfield Township supervisors.

As you drive through Middle Smithfield Township you might notice a road that leads nowhere. Construction there stalled when officials downsized the Marshalls Creek bypass project.

Now PennDOT has no plans for the pavement. Township Supervisor Scott Schaller said, "If PennDOT owns it - it will sit there - it will turn into a dump sight."

So he wants PennDOT to give the road to the township. He thinks it might be useful in the future. But Supervisor and Road Superintendent Ron Clewell disagrees. He said, "It's a liability first of all and I see no reason why we would want it."

In addition to taking over the road to nowhere, Supervisor Schaller would also like the township to take over a seven mile section of Route 209. That includes the area near the Marshalls Creek Flea Market.

Schaller said township owned roads are more business friendly than PennDOT roads. So it would encourage economic growth. He explained, "We can no longer have the residents of the township shoulder the tax burden."

But Clewell thinks PennDOT development rules are important for safety. He said, "I think what he wants to do is cut corners."

If PennDOT gives the township the road, it would also give the township $4,000 per mile per year for maintenance. Schaller believes that would be enough. He said, "I believe our road department is about 50% underutilized."

But Clewell said that's not true. He explained, "Scott has no idea what it takes to take care of the roads."

He believes he would have to hire more workers and that could lead to a tax increase. He remarked, "I think it's absolutely foolish."

PennDOT says it has not received an official request from the township so it cannot make a decision on what to do with those roads.