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Construction Begins on Major Linglestown Makeover
The project calls for adding a traffic roundabout near the fire station on Linglestown Road, a roundabout at the town square, and new sidewalks and trees.
The goal, according to PennDOT and Lower Paxton Township officials, is to ease congestion. It's something residents like LaVerne Yingst worry about.
"It's terrible," said Yingst. "I live a fourth-of-a-mile from Linglestown Road and sometimes it's lined up that far."
The project has been in the works since the early 1990's when officials proposed adding a traffic signal to the square. That idea met with opposition from residents who wanted to preserve the flagpole in that location.
"I think they'll be pleased with this traffic calming project that addressess some of the congestion and the progress that we've seen in this area in the last several years," said PennDOT's Tucker Ferguson.
But not everyone is excited about the changes.
Bill Paterekas owns the Eagle Hotel, which sits on the square. He said the project will come at the expense of 20 of his parking spaces.
"We've been in business 32 years, and here, we are left with no options," Paterekas said. "No parking spaces to supplement our business."
Paterekas said township officials took the land using eminent domain and right-of-way laws. He expects it will impact his business "dramatically."
Township officials said they offered Paterekas compensation and built additional parking spaces about a block away.
Paterekas said the offer was "hundreds of thousands of dollars" below his expectations.
"My senior citizens, I'm concerned about most," Paterekas said. "They love coming here and they're not willing to walk very far to come patronize a business."
Businessman Larry Robenolt owns the First Impressions Botique on Linglestown Road. He said he's looking forward to the finished product, but is concerned about the project's impact on business in the meantime.
Linglestown Road will be closed in one direction during the construction.
"The concern would be that some of the clients might say, 'Well, it's such a hassle that I'm just not going to go over there right now,'" Robenolt said.
The project is expected to wrap up in spring of 2011.
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Latest Comments on "Construction Begins on Major Linglestown Makeover"
posted by: Fast Eddie on 5:50 pm on 11/26/09
Do yourself a huge favor and completely avoid Linglestown Rd. for the next few years. The road is already screwed up between Crooked Hill Rd. and Progress Ave. cause of the new Giant and other "new" developements on Linglestown Rd. Now the "Square" at Linglestown is gonna get a face lift. So save yourself a lot of aggrivation and just stay away.
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