Hello Everyone!

         Hope you this update finds you healthy and managing well enough in these challenging times.   Our voices are being heard and changes are happening out here on Plank Rd.  Thus far, a new permanent 45 mph speed zone from Moose Range Curve south to the end of the residences on the east side of Plank Rd was been approved by the county board last month and signs have been installed.  This gives the sheriff's department more ways to enforce safer speeds on that stretch, especially approaching the curve. 

         The Devine Way and Gerry Lane intersections off of Plank Rd now have advisory signs designating as them residential districts and advisory 45 mph speed zones.  Additionally, there are electronic speed tracking signs that notify drivers if they are exceeding the 55 mph speed limit.  These measures seem to be slowing things down a bit which is a positive change.

         We have continued to make our petition requests as well as observations of close call incidents out on Plank known during the public comment periods at the Highway Committee and County Board Meetings each month.   We have repeated the request for an extended no passing zone from Moose Range Rd eastward to past the S-curve east of Lukens Rd.  This would mean re-striping that stretch with a double, solid yellow line.  The road work project started last year on Plank has a couple of small additions yet to be done before it is to be considered complete.  One of these is putting reflective pavement markers down the center of the road.  We have specifically asked that this not be done until we have had time to fully pursue our efforts to get the extended no passing zones considered by the full county board.  We have made every effort to minimize the cost to the county for the changes we seek.  Having to replace the markers if our change request is approved is something we can avoid if the highway department would just hold off on installing them.  This is our last hurdle to get further safety improvements on Plank Rd so if you want to email or communicate your support for this change in striping, please feel free to do so to the highways department and/or your county board representative.

         We are very appreciative of your support in helping to bring these changes to Plank Road.  Just as we are all doing our part to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our community, your voices are helping to make Plank Rd a safer road for all who use it. 

Thanks and Be Well! 

Julie Weingarz