Comprehensive plan targets interchange

By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item

June 10, 2008 12:49 am

— NORTHUMBERLAND — The impact of the planned Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway interchange on Route 147 was the leading concern among residents and elected officials at Monday night’s meeting on the Northumberland-Point Township joint comprehensive plan.
The session was led by consultant Michelle A. Brummer, of Gannett Fleming, a Harrisburg-based engineering and planning firm.
“One of the major goals of the joint comprehensive plan is to make real the vision of a future Northumberland borough-Point Township area that is a thriving residential community that offers easy access to employment opportunities via major highway corridors, as well as high quality, cost-effective services and recreational facilities to its residents,” she said. “What will this area look like in 2020?”
“We’re here tonight to get your feedback,” Brummer said. “We’ve been working on the plan since last January, and now it’s time to bring it to the public for their input. This is a call to action. The goal is to manage growth, guide development and direct programs.”
The thruway project would address existing and future transportation needs of the Central Susquehanna Valley in a corridor that is roughly five miles wide and 12 miles long, stretching from the end of the Selinsgrove bypass north to Route 147. Improvements would address congestion and safety problems on Routes 11-15, 11, 15 and 147.
The upgrade of Route 147 from a two-lane to a four-lane, limited-access highway has been advanced as a separate project.
Point Township supervisors Chairman Randy Yoxheimer said the impact of the thruway is something the comprehensive plan must address. “It’s a critical issue in terms of land use and future growth of the region,” he said.
Charlie Attinger, of Northumberland, said he attended the meeting to express his concerns about the thruway plan and traffic. “Route 147 is already busy with truck traffic. Can you imagine what it might be like 10, 15 years from now when we have a thruway connecting to it? And what about Route 11, and the traffic from Danville that would use the interchange? I’m not against the thruway,” he said. “In fact, I hope to live long enough to see it built. I just think we have to seriously consider how traffic will affect our way of life along the Route 11 corridor and other roadways.”
Land use also was discussed. Other goals and objectives recommended by the consulting company include natural resource protection, building a diverse and sustainable local economy, encouraging the development of a variety of housing types, sizes and neighborhoods, providing adequate community facilities and services to meet the needs of residents in the region, reducing traffic congestion and improving dangerous road conditions and supporting the preservation and maintenance of historic buildings, artifacts and memorabilia.