Myerstown Borough Council adds speed humps as 501 bridge work causes traffic

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At its monthly meeting Tuesday, Myerstown Borough Council continued to discuss the traffic problems that have emerged since part of state Route 501 was closed due to the Tulpehocken Creek bridge replacement.

Council agreed to purchase two 3-foot wide, 16-foot speed humps (and sections connecting to the curb) to be temporarily placed on Locust Street for $1,844.

The temporary hump, meant to slow the unusual amount of fast traffic including trucks using the residential street as an unauthorized detour, is graded for 25-mph traffic. The borough plans to remove it once construction is complete, with PennDOT estimating an early December completion.

Last month, residents of the street reported speeding, unreported fender benders, and property damage including damaged side mirrors due to the surge in traffic.

Read More: Myerstown Borough Council discusses Rt. 501 bridge closure, traffic concerns

Council also heard from state police Officer Fye, who reported that since being alerted to the problem by the borough, officers have been visiting Myerstown three times per day to check for speeding violations and detour compliance, for large vehicles not permitted on borough roads.

Fye said 43 citations have been issued to drivers not following the detour, speeding on borough roads, and ignoring stop signs.

“I understand traffic is completely chaotic through roads that it wouldn’t otherwise go on,” he said.

A resident in attendance Tuesday asked that officers watch the bridges on Mill and Broad Streets, advising that some vehicles may be ignoring weight limits. Fye said he would take it into consideration.

Council also reported that PennDOT has responded favorably to its requests made last week, and has moved or added detour signs to increase incoming drivers’ awareness of the detour.

Council asked the township manager to reach out to PennDOT as soon as possible to inform them that the borough will be undergoing road work at the intersection of Richland and Railroad next week.

Council members also expressed worry that drivers going off-detour after paving is complete will generate excessive wear on Railroad, floating the idea of partially barricading the road to discourage nonlocal traffic.

In other news, council:

• Heard the borough has received an estimate for cost of pickleball poles and nets, which will be installed by borough staff. Council requested a final total and plan to vote on the item at its upcoming work session.
• Unanimously authorized the solicitor to advertise an ordinance codifying the ordinances passed over the last two years, with no new law being established.
• Unanimously approved a resolution honoring the Keystone Fire Company, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
• Unanimously approved the closure of Main Avenue from Locust Street to Union Alley Nov. 28 for the Myerstown Women’s Club-hosted Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
• Unanimously approved a resolution appointing Brooke Moyer as borough treasurer.
• Unanimously appointed Jeffrey Fahnestock to the Myerstown Planning Commission.
• Unanimously agreed to allow the fire police to provide assistance at Womelsdorf’s annual POW/MIA Ride for Freedom Aug. 24.
• Unanimously approved release of the escrow for the project at 701 S. Railroad St., following borough engineer’s recommendations.
• Unanimously approved a policy concerning the employee policy for volunteer firefighters.
• Unanimously approved minutes and reports.

Myerstown Borough Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m and holds a work session the fourth Wednesday of the month. The meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article misstated the mirrors that were damaged. They were side mirrors, not rearview mirrors.