PALMER TWP., Pa. — Palmer Township’s Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a measure that could help mitigate traffic impacts from the proposed Easton Commerce Park warehouse project.
The board voted to send a letter to the state Transportation department asking the developer behind the warehouse, Scannell, to conduct a Post Traffic Impact Study after the project is complete.
This measure may help detect and mitigate issues such as impact on local roadways and traffic flow once the facility opens, Palmer officials said.
“So all we're recommending is that they have to come back in, could be any time, six months after it's fully operational, and do a traffic impact study, just to confirm that what they've done during the preliminary stages, or the design stages, was appropriate."Palmer Township Engineer Justin M. Coyle
Traffic impact has been a hot-button issue for both Palmer and Easton, which would see plenty of traffic headed to and away from the warehouse, which will largely sit in Wilson.
Palmer’s Acting Planning Director, Craig S. Beavers, received a letter from Carroll Engineering Corporation on March 25 detailing a Transportation Impact Study.
The letter, from CEC’s traffic and transportation department manager, detailed how revised plans, a permit application, a traffic impact study and response letters were submitted Jan. 14.
Most significant issue
While several concerns listed in a Transportation Impact Study review letter from Nov. 5 were addressed, several remained.
Perhaps the most notable issue revolves around increased truck traffic on Wood Avenue, which is described as a “narrow local road with little or no shoulders.”
The letter advises the applicant to explore a way to ensure the potential traffic does not impact safety in the area, as there is a nearby park, walking trail, bike path and pedestrian crossing.
Concerns over the capacity and timing of the interchange traffic lights at 25th Street and Route 22, and their potential to significantly increase traffic volumes, also were noted.
There also was concern over pedestrian safety because of a lack of walkways and sidewalks.
“The potential future development of the former ‘K-Mart’ site, and the ‘Dixie Cup’ factory are also upcoming large traffic generators for this interchange and are recommended for consideration with the Application,” the letter reads.
Taking that into consideration, there is a recommendation for PennDOT to investigate the feasibility of reconfiguring the 13th Street eastbound Route 22 off-ramp to accommodate left turns.
The CEC report states they are not satisfied that impacts to Wood Avenue will be mitigated properly because of a lack of plans in the Transportation Impact Study.
On top of that, CEC calls attention to a traffic increase of 100 vehicles during weekday morning and afternoon peak hours, with Wood Avenue seeing nearly 500 daily truck trips.
Impact studies
“I think my biggest concern as an elected official in Palmer Township is just the traffic impact, and we most certainly don't want to inhibit Wilson from progressing and developing," Board Chairman Michael Brett said.
"We want to see them be successful in their efforts. We want to make sure that the impact to Palmer is mitigated and managed properly.”
“It’s easy to control on paper, but in practice, until the truckers and the users start using the warehouse, that’s when you really see the implications.”Palmer Township Commissioners Chairman Michael Brett
Brett said the Post Traffic Impact Study would be valuable to controlling damage.
“It’s easy to control on paper, but in practice, until the truckers and the users start using the warehouse, that’s when you really see the implications,” he said.
Township Engineer Justin M. Coyle said one of the primary concerns was the potential for the bulk of eastbound traffic using the 25th Street interchange, going through Palmer on Wood Avenue, then accessing the site.
Coyle said Hackett Avenue could be impacted by traffic coming from the south to the west.
To make a proper “apples-to-apples” comparison concerning the assumed changes and actual impact of the project, Coyle advised the township to send a letter to PennDOT asking for the developer to conduct a Post Traffic Impact Study.
“So all we're recommending is that they have to come back in, could be any time, six months after it's fully operational, and do a traffic impact study," Coyle said.
"Just to confirm that what they've done during the preliminary stages, or the design stages, was appropriate."
Mitigating measures
Following a Post Traffic Impact Study, there could be a request for additional mitigation measures, including more signage, additional pavement markings, road widening or other measures.
The letter from CEC ends with a recommendation that the township add a condition to the contract that would see PennDOT monitor the operation of Wood Avenue for safety concerns and adverse impacts after the project’s completed.
The traffic impact study would be re-evaluated once the facility is fully operational.
“It is recommended that the Applicant would be required to post escrow funds for a post-development study of the corridor and construct additional roadway improvements, if necessary to mitigate the site generated traffic,” the letter reads.
“This procedure has been done regarding other warehouse developments in the region, when the potential final impacts are unknown at the time of land development.”
