North Cornwall supervisors talk lighting for 22nd Street bridge project

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The North Cornwall Township Board of Supervisors discussed additional street lighting for the 22nd Street bridge realignment project at its meeting Tuesday.

Engineer Steve Sherk explained that Rails to Trails is considering an exemption for the dusk-to-dawn use restriction from the portion of the Rail Trail from Wilhelm Avenue to the Lebanon Valley Mall. As a result, the township is considering additional lighting along the bridge, during the late stages of planning for the PennDOT realignment project.

Supervisor Mike Wahmann agreed that the pedestrian area along 22nd Street “isn’t very well lit at all” and suggested the township look into additional lighting, at both ends and along the street.

There are no streetlights near the Cumberland Street intersection, but township manager Justin Thompson explained that ambient light from nearby businesses like Speedway, CVS, and Jersey Mike’s helps with lighting in this area.

Supervisors directed Sherk to explore the topic further, in particular to determine whether lighting can be installed on existing poles or whether standalone lighting would need to be installed. Sherk agreed, and said the project may only need one more light near the bridge and another at the Chestnut Street intersection.

“I like the idea of lighting that area up because there is a lot of walkers,” said supervisor William Yeagley. He added that he would prefer lighting installed on existing poles, as standalone light poles can be knocked over by collisions and create a maintenance responsibility for the township.

In other news, supervisors:

• Unanimously agreed to advertise the 2026 paving project for bids, including scratch and overlays on Forney Road, Village Drive, Helen Drive, Tuck Street, a section of Walnut Street, a section of Wilhelm Avenue, Kreiser Street, South Eighth Street, and Nancy Lee Avenue. The project totals around 3 miles, and bids will be opened April 2 and awarded April 7. Supervisors also unanimously approved an escalator clause for bituminous materials.
• Unanimously approved a $36,951.25 low quote for the replacement of the Creekside Drive guiderail.
• Unanimously approved a payment of $228,620.35 to JEV Construction and a payment of $26,550 to Garden Spot Electric for the Dairy Road Pump Station Project. Supervisors also unanimously approved a $4,856.25 change order from JEV Construction for the project.
• Reviewed a flier for a May 16 community day at Gloninger Woods Park, including meet-and-greets with local first responders.
• Heard a request for a $250 donation for an America250 parade July 3 in Jonestown, but opted to wait on it for now. The parade is organized by a committee separate to the Lebanon County committee, and Yeagley expressed concern with what will happen to the donation if the parade doesn’t happen. Organizer Kathy Yang said that, as financials are being handled by Jonestown Borough, all funds would be returned to donors in that case.
• Unanimously agreed to appoint Tracey Christman, who submitted an auditor letter of interest, to the open position.
• Unanimously approved minutes and heard reports.

North Cornwall supervisors meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.