Local Fire Dept. Wants Hazardous Roadway Fixed

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP---Narrow lanes, falling ice and rocks, and sharp turns create a recipe for disaster on a stretch of roadway in Clearfield County. There have been 26 accidents on State Route 879 in Goshen Township between 2004 and 2008 according to a PennDOT crash report. The fire department is called out to that location time and time again, and wants PennDOT to improve road conditions before someone gets killed. They’ve already had six incidents this month at that location, and they said their resources are being stretched thin. “We’re constantly getting calls on debris, and we’re only volunteer. I guess we’re going to end up building a little chantey down there and staying down there,” said Goshen Township Fire Chief Shawn Owens. PennDOT officials said they are happy to work with emergency responders on whatever concerns they have, but the best plan of action is for all drivers to practice defensive driving technique. “We encourage drivers to drive according to road and weather conditions, and to give themselves extra time in weather conditions that are in particular challenging,” said PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Marla Fannin. PennDOT will install rumble strips on the center and edge lines of that road this year, so motorists will know if they’re getting too close to oncoming traffic or the side of the road.