Township concerned over road conditions

FAIRMOUNT TWP. – Supervisor Dave Keller says a 30-foot section of Route 118 westbound is a hazard because it is washed out along the berm.

And while PennDOT has said the road is scheduled for repair, nothing has been done since rushing floodwaters caused the damage last September.

The washed-out section of road, located across from the entrance of Ricketts Glen State Park, near Kitchen Creek and Falls Trail, consists of two large holes approximately 14 inches deep, a 6-foot guide rail that is exposed and part of a stone wall missing.

Keller said he spoke with PennDOT in October. PennDOT responded that the repairs would be "put on the schedule." He has not heard anything yet, he said.

Attempts to reach a PennDOT spokesman on Friday were unsuccessful.

Keller said once the camping season begins after Memorial Day, pedestrians will be walking along that route when they leave the parking lot and go to the picnic area. There are also two other camping areas located within a mile of the damaged spot: Goods Camp Grounds is located one-half mile away and Red Rock Camp Grounds is located a mile away.

Keller also pointed out that Route 118 is a major route from Wilkes-Barre to Williamsport. The school buses from the Northwest Area School District also travel the route. Also, the busy traffic area is the route traveled by the gas drilling water trucks that run out of Williamsport going toward the northern destinations. Several tractor-trailers, tri-axle trucks, Pikes Quarry and American Asphalt also utilize the route.

"There are enough fatalities in this area as it is," Keller said. "Last year there was a double fatality."

He also said that until the repairs are done, flashing lights or a warning sign should be placed near the area to warn the approaching traffic of the dangerous situation.