Borough finds less expensive solution to school access snag

PALMER — Though it hasn’t solved all the problems, an $80,000 road project seems to be enough to solve access issues to Machetanz Elementary.

As plans to build the school neared fruition, the borough assembly started to worry about whether the site was accessible. Roads certainly went there. But the shortest route was through Garden Terrace Subdivision.

Plans were in place to build a $8 million road to extend Trunk Road South. That project would have allowed a short, more-or-less direct route to the school bypassing the subdivision.

But when the school opened, and despite having to drive two miles out of the way, it seems most people took the Borough’s advice and stayed out of Garden Terrace.

“It’s kind of been a non-issue,” said Bill Klebesadel.

Really, Klebesadel said, the only outcry the Borough is hearing is from people who want their voices heard on that $8 million project.

“There have been a couple of residents that are really politicking to get one of the alignments moved,” Klebesadel said.

The route the borough recommends to get to Machetanz takes Nelson Road. Klebesadel said the Borough is working to direct some parents who might not have gotten the message.

“We’re going to put up signage that directs people in that direction,” Klebesadel said.

Right now the road isn’t quite up to snuff. But Klebesadel it serves its purpose well.

Klebesadel said Rex Turner, the developer currently building the Ranch subdivision, built all 9,000-plus feet of that road and surfaced it up to a gravel standard to the end of his property.

“Interestingly enough he’s constructed the 9,300 and we’re only surfacing the 4,200,” Klebesadel said. That project won’t kick off until next year because of drainage issues.

But, he said, the road as of now is fine. The borough has graded it. Klebesadel said it’s apparent where the borough’s portion ends and Turner’s begins. But even the rougher borough route is still a 40-mph road.

“As traffic picks up either the developer or the borough will pave it as traffic warrants,” Klebesadel said.

And that $8 million project?

“If we get funding for it we’ll build it but all that will do is make a more direct route,” Klebesadel said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.