Motorists traveling Route 19 in the South Hills have experienced this type of construction nearly all summer. It began with the area surrounding the Allegheny-Washington county border, near the Boyce Road intersection and then spread into Peters Township. The major problem with all this is there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

We all like to travel on well-maintained, well-marked roads. As taxpayers, we grumble about pothole-laden highways and the damage it does to our cars. And, although recognizing the inconvenience factor, many of us have patience enough to cope with temporary stoppages for long-term improvements.

The construction through Peters Township is another matter though. Road work, namely grading and repaving, began almost simultaneously on Route 19 (Washington Road) and East McMurray Road. With work occurring primarily in the daylight, motorists suffered back ups on every road connected to these main roads. Those trying to circumvent the traffic by cutting through shopping center parking lots or neighborhoods found themselves in the same gridlock. There was no escape.

Local officials, from the township level to state Rep. John Pippy's office, are fielding calls from angry motorists who travel these roads. We sympathize with those who have to take time out of their busy day to listen to frustrated residents and others justifiably complain about the roadwork. Unfortunately, they have no answers, either, as this is a PennDOT project.

We find many faults with the way this project has been handled. The lack of communication at the start between PennDOT, the contractor and the township forced this project to get off on a bad foot from the beginning. Planning can go a long way in easing back-ups and, sometimes, tempers.

Arguably the busiest roads in the township, there seemed to be no foresight into the impact of repaving them at the same time. We would be curious to know how the retail establishments along the construction paths were impacted by the long lines of backed-up traffic and angry motorists.

With about 40,000 cars on Route 19 each day and 15,000 on East McMurray, working on these roads overnight, when there are considerably less cars, makes much more sense than doing the work during the day.

As motorists, we're never happy to encounter construction as we try to make our way along roads. As evidenced in other locations with other projects, there are ways to ease the pain of roadwork for motorists. But, with poorly planned projects such as this, insult has just added to injury.

In Peters Township, you can get there from here, but it's going to take you a long, long time.