Robert Gates, left, of Bowman Consulting, and Gus Fahey, of Valley in Motion, present possible solutions to make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — On Thursday, June 15 at The Gathering Place, a presentation was made with intentions to make the roads in the Abington area safer for driving and walking. Gus Fahey, founder of Valley in Motion (a nonprofit organization which fosters community and quality of life in the Lackawanna Valley), Alyssa Kelley, project manager of Valley in Motion, and Robert Gates, transportation planner for Bowman Consulting, were selected by Lackawanna County to do an initiative called Safe Streets Lackawanna.
Using charts, they presented data from a study conducted by surveys and focus groups including the fact that 11,761 total crashes have occurred in Lackawanna County from 2019 to 2023. According to the data, 399 of them caused a serious injury or fatality). These crashes included 87 fatal crashes and 312 suspected injury crashes.
“Lackawanna County is interested in getting safe streets funding from the federal government to make improvements so that all of our roads and streets are safer,” said Fahey.
A chart revealed three Abington areas with the highest crash sites: the suburban corridor of Abington Road from Yale Boulevard to Grove Street (9 injury crashes); the commercial corridor of South State Street from Grove Street to Landsdowne Avenue (39 injury crashes); the suburban corridor of North State Street from Old State Road to Grove Street (25 injury crashes).
During public comment, one of the residents asked if Winola Road was considered dangerous. Fahey replied that pedestrians want to walk on Winola Road but its infrastructure won’t allow it. Gates added that a plan has been submitted to the Transportation Improvement Plan. Another resident complained that pedestrians walk on the wrong side of the road. He suggested public education for pedestrians. Gates replied that PennDot is looking at a safe system approach looking at safe roadways and education.
“It’s (safety) everyone’s responsibility,” he said. “Not placed solely on driving, not solely on walking.”
The public was given possible solution cards to place in two separate plastic cup labeled “Would Work Well” and Would Not Work Well”. These solutions included installing bicycle lanes, applying lighting continuously along segments and at spot locations, and placing stop sign intersection warnings.
Chief Chris Yarns mentioned that Clarks Summit Council acquired funding for a solar, wireless pedestrian crosswalk on the intersections of Colburn Avenue and State Street, Claremont Avenue and State Street, and Main Street and State Street.
The public also had the option to write other possible solutions they believe would make the streets safer. These solutions included to increase walkability to schools, parks, local grocery stores, etc.. Another solution from a resident was more sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and green trails.
