Remedy elusive for Falling Spring intersection

GUILFORD TOWNSHIP -  Some people call it the most dangerous intersection in Franklin County.

In spite of improvements to the intersection of Falling Spring, Edwards and Cider Press roads over the summer, both state and local officials admit the intersection remains a trouble spot for drivers.

That was demonstrated as recently as Sept. 5 when two vans collided at the intersection in a crash so violent that both drivers had to be airlifted to area trauma centers.

Many drivers who use the intersection regularly suggested in social media posts on the day of the crash that there should be a four-way stop or traffic lights at the intersection.

Guilford Township Supervisor Steve Rock -- who has driven a snow plow for the township for a decade -- calls the intersection "scary" and said the only time he feels safe crossing Falling Spring at the intersection is at night when traffic is lighter. 

Part of the problem is a hill on Falling Spring Road that crests just before the intersection, reducing the line of sight for those trying to cross Falling Spring from either Cider Press Road or Edwards Avenue.

Bobby Bingaman, manager of PennDOT's Franklin County maintenance operations, isn't sure a four-way stop or even traffic lights would solve the problem, however. 

"It could increase rear-end collisions on Falling Spring," he said, "And there would still be people who would run stop signs."

Still, he said, PennDOT is concerned about the safety of drivers at the intersection, and it probably will be the subject of further safety projects by the state.

"It is one of the places that stands out," he said of the intersection.

For that reason, the intersection was one of this year's safety projects by PennDOT, he said.

That project -- completed over the summer -- raised the intersection by 18 inches and was actually the state's second attempt to fix,  or at least lessen the problem, Bingaman said.

PennDOT cut off some of the hill once before, he said. While that didn't completely solve the problem, it did help. But in the intervening years traffic on the road has increased and crashes at the intersection have increased with it.

Bingaman said this year's project, which built up the intersection and cut back the bank on the Edwards side of Falling Spring, should help.

He hopes a flashing light warning of a dangerous intersection ahead -- to be installed this month on Falling Spring Road before the hill crests -- will also help.

Falling Spring Road, with its curves and hills, is heavily traveled and often used to bypass Lincoln Way East coming and going from Chambersburg. Bingaman said an average 5,500 vehicles use the road daily. 

The problem is compounded by drivers who speed and don't observe other rules of the road, officials say.

In the case of Tuesday's crash, a McConnellsburg man driving a delivery van ran the stop sign on Edwards Avenue, plowing into the driver's side of a mini-van driven  by a Chambersburg teen, according to a police report. 

The delivery van rolled onto its side after going onto an embankment on Cider Press Road. Both vehicles had severe damage and their occupants were injured badly enough to be airlifted to trauma centers.

While that crash can be blamed on driver error, that isn't always the case. At times drivers are hampered by the line-of-sight issue and not being able to always see traffic coming over the hill on Falling Spring. 

Bingaman said it would take a full-fledged traffic study by PennDOT's District 8 before the intersection could be turned into a four-way stop, although he doesn't rule that out.

"If these accidents continue, it will probably come back up again," he said.

As for traffic lights at the intersection, he said one property owner at the intersection has land he has tried to sell with a stipulation that the buyer would put a light at the intersection when the property is developed.

Even if the property were sold and developed, putting a traffic light at the intersection isn't something that would happen right away. 

It would involve working with both the township with a land development plan and PennDOT to resolve any issues and get the necessary state permits for such a project.

In the meantime, the only solution is the flashing warning sign that PennDOT will put on Falling Spring to warn motorists getting ready to crest the hill there that a dangerous intersection is ahead.

The hope is that at least some of the 5,500 drivers traveling the road daily will take heed, slow down and be alert when approaching the intersection.

Vicky Taylor, 717-881-5373