Aug 13, 2013 3 min read

During an Aug. 12 meeting of council, Peters Township discussed several ongoing construction projects, including the lengthy realignment of the Valley Brook Road ramp, the demolition and reconstruction of the Sugar Camp Road bridge on Arrowhead Trail, and the new Get Go at the intersection of Washington Road and Circle Drive.

Michael Silvestri, township manager, told council that the Valley Brook Road ramp project was on schedule with a completion date of next July expected. During the realignment, thousands of vehicles are being forced to find alternate routes when connecting to and from Washington and East McMurray roads. One of the non-designated detours that motorists are using is Hays Road.

Silvestri said traffic counts show about 4,000 vehicles­­-considerably higher than the normal 1,700 daily vehicles-are using Hays Road as a shortcut between Peters and Upper St. Clair townships. Council agreed to investigate using pairs of temporary speed humps on Hays Road to slow motorists. The temporary speed humps cost $1,500 each.

As for the Sugar Camp Road bridge, Silvestri said the replacement project was on schedule with completion expected by Oct. 31. A request by Appalachian Industries for a relief of contract time was denied by council.

Ed Zuk, township planning director, said there is progress being made on the Get Go Express that will feature a pharmacy, a car wash, gasoline pumps and food products. He informed council of several requests by the parent company, Giant Eagle, regarding signs. Council agreed that two monument-style signs should be required rather than the tall pole signs proposed by Get Go. Council also agreed the Planning Commission should deny any requests for numerous directional signs for the car wash.

Zuk said the store, which will sell alcohol, and the gasoline pumps are technically on different lots as law prohibits selling liquor on the same site as gasoline.

In other action Aug. 12, council:

• Approved a request for a banner on the East McMurray Road Trail Bridge for the township’s Chamber Chase 5K. The run will be held Oct. 19.

• Approved a resolution accepting public improvements in the Hamlet of Springdale Plan Phase 2, including a portion of Buckingham Drive, and approved the final plan of the Hamlet of Springdale Phase 3 that contains 14 lots and that will include entrances on Bower Hill and Springdale roads.

• Agreed to additional signs to alert those using Arrowhead Trail or any of the township’s parks to keep dogs on a leash. Although swimming by humans is not permitted in Peters Lake Park, dogs may swim in the lake if the dogs are properly leashed on land.

• Announced a special meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, to hear testimony on the proposed ordinance regulating seismic testing. Written testimony will be accepted. A time limit may be imposed on those speaking at the hearing.