WYOMISSING, Pa. – A major traffic makeover is on the horizon for a busy area of Wyomissing with a high rate of car accidents. At a meeting Monday night, officials went over the proposal with residents.
“It’s nice to see meetings like this taking place. I think residents of the borough should be informing important decisions that are being made,” said Chris Valente, Wyomissing.
At Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center, a proposal for future road projects was presented.
“It’s already a traffic nightmare,” said Kristen Keiser, Wyomissing. “I think adding this construction project is only going to exacerbate that concern and really put our kids in danger. And that does not sit well with me at all.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, adding three roundabouts between the Route 222 ramps and Spring intersections on State Hill Road would alleviate safety concerns and fix other problems. As of now, PennDOT officials say they don’t have plans for detours yet, but they acknowledge the construction will disrupt traffic in the area.
“I feel like if, if some of the lights were done a little bit differently on State Hill Road, that would be a better solution, but I’m not the professional, right?” Keiser asked.
PennDOT asked residents to voice their biggest concerns on State Hill Road.
“PennDOT has done extensive studies on this. We know that the accident rate on State Hill Road is much higher than it should be,” Valente said, “so some changes are needed.”
In the meeting, one of the biggest concerns was safety.
“Walking to school. You know, getting on and off buses, you know. And also the congestion bus, you know, the bus traffic is going to have to go around and all this navigation, Keiser, of Wyomissing, said.
PennDOT says as a part of this project will also address flooding issues.
“We would look at improvements for the drainage so that would be part of the project is dealing with any issues with water and drainage,” said Sean Brown, PennDOT.
The project isn’t expected to begin until 2027.