Ross Commissioners: Options Limited in Resolving Complaints About Poorly Maintained Road

When Vicki Chang turns off McKnight Road toward her home at the Woodhawk Club, the entrance to Johnanna Drive acts like a speed bump. (See video and Click "view larger map" for exact location) 

"Because of the poor road conditions, drivers slow down to a nearly complete stop when entering from McKnight Road," she told the Ross Township Board of Commissioners Monday night. "This greatly increases the chances of rear-end collisions because the cars behind you are still traveling at nearly 40 miles an hour."  

Chang asked the commissioner to do something to improve Johnanna Drive, which acts as an entrance to McDonalds, Mick's Chrysler Dealership, EZ storage, Ivy Woods Condominiums and the Woodhawk Club.

The problem, Board President Grant Montgomery said, is that Johnanna is a privately owned road.

"We don't have the funds to take care of private roads," he said. "Our responsibility is to take care of the township roads. I totally get what you are saying, but it we try to enforce your situation, then we'd have to do that for every private road in the township."   

According Chang, Johnanna is owned by McDonalds, Mick's Chrysler Dealership, EZ storage, Ivy Woods Condominiums and the Woodhawk Club. She said her complaints, so far, have fallen on deaf ears. 

"I do understand it's a private road and I know what that means," she said. "But I have spoken with different people and they have given me difference answers." 

Ross Police Chief Robert Bellan told Chang and the Commissioners he would look at the history of accidents at that intersection, and speak with PennDOT, which owns McKnight Road, to see what options, if any, are available to the township.

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