Pocono News Section

Rt. 209 Bypass

Rt. 209 Bypass - Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 8:39PM EST

Thursday, Oct 16, 2008 @ 08:39pm EST

Marshalls Creek, Monroe Co. -

Anyone who's ever driven through Marshalls Creek knows the traffic is bad. On weekdays it's heavy and on weekends you'll sit so long you might as well pack a picnic lunch.

Jennie Dean, of Brodheadsville says, "The reason I didn't move was because the traffic was horrendous here in this corner."

For decades politicians said a Marshalls Creek bypass could fix the problem.

Richard Hellyer, of Marshalls Creek says, "I've been here fifty years and they still haven't got anywhere near done."

Penndot started the project to ease the congestion in 2006. But soon after ran out of money.

Representative John Siptroth, (D) 189 th says, "Construction costs have certainly gone up and up and up." State Representative John Siptroth remembers the day an official told him the bypass was too expensive to finish. He continues, " We got into a heated discussion and that is when you'll recall they carted me off to the hospital with the heart problem." When the representative recovered, he argued rather than stop the project, Penndot should work out a compromise. He stated, "I said no and stirred the pot a little bit if you will."

So this week officials revealed two less expensive bypass plans. This is the first plan widening the roads at the intersection of both 209's. It would cost about 20 million dollars. Penndot says for about seven million dollars more they could do this. Everything in yellow would be part of the bypass plan. The more expensive option would be finished sooner because Penndot already has the environmental permits.

Representative John Siptroth, (D) 189 th , concludes "So construction can begin as soon as 2010 - open to traffic hopefully by 2011."

But some aren't convinced. Jennie Dean, of Brodheadsville says, "I don't feel they're ever gonna do that." Richard Hellyer, of Marshalls Creek says, "They should have done it long ago. I mean they surveyed, and surveyed and surveyed. The money they spent, we'd a had it done."

You can help Penndot choose a bypass plan on their website. You can find a link to that to our website at pahomepage. com.