Township, PennDOT and developer outline Analone Drive intersection redesign, easements and frontage fence near Schuylkill Valley campus

Representatives for a private developer and Onalani Township told the Schuylkill Valley School District buildings-and-grounds committee on Jan. 27 that PennDOT has approved key elements of a redesign of the Analone Drive intersection adjacent to the district campus, but the project will require small parcels of right-of-way, several easements and coordination on tree impacts and construction sequencing.

The presentation outlined an expanded intersection geometry that adds left-turn lanes at multiple approaches, a right-turn lane into Ottoleny Drive, ADA-compliant ramps at each corner and designed swales for stormwater conveyance and treatment. Township and consultant speakers said PennDOT has already reviewed and given feedback that reduced the grading impact near the school frontage.

Why it matters: The intersection work is intended to improve safety and traffic flow for school traffic and new businesses planned on Analone Drive, but it requires property adjustments on all four corners and will affect trees along the school frontage. The school district will be asked to execute small rights-of-way and easement documents once PennDOT reviews are finalized.

John Wichner, a project engineer with Bowman Consulting, described the planning history and regulatory…