Drivers on a heavily-traveled highway in Luzerne County may notice some big changes starting Friday. Dozens of warning and advisory signs are going up where a man was killed in a crash last month.
Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, PennDOT crews have been making their way up and down Route 309 near Penobscot Mountain to install the signs in an effort to prevent another deadly crash like the one that happened last month.
The crash on May 10 left a man dead and prompted changes along Route 309 in the Ashley area. A few weeks after the wreck, PennDOT crews installed rumble strips and Friday they began putting up warning and advisory signs in and around the same area. The main goal is to make sure drivers are aware cars and trucks may be turning left into the new Bentley's, a restaurant and business complex on Route 309.
Last month's crash victim was turning into the business when his antique Chevy Nova was hit. Police said Craig Lear, 64, of Mountain Top was killed.
Now PennDOT is working to make the turn safer.
"Mostly in the northbound direction, the trucks will be in the right lane, not in the left. They can't stop as quick, so if someone's turning from the left hand line, they don't get crunched from behind," said Michael Romanowski of PennDOT.
PennDOT hopes that by July 4th it will have 30 advisory and warning signs along Route 309 between Interstate 81 and Penobscot Mountain.
"It was something you'd see on a James Bond movie," said Bob Wanyo of Bentley's, recalling the accident." The gentlemen wanted to come in and have a good time. Before he knew it, he was here, then he was gone."
Bob Wanyo was working security at Bentley's when he watched the deadly crash happen. He, along with management, said the new signs are coming at the right time considering their grand opening is Saturday.
"Very important. With PennDOT putting in rumble strips and all the signage that's going up. Safety is the biggest concern here," said Michael Sura, Bentley's general manager.
"Our functions, from here on out, we're going to take major pre-cautions so that doesn't happen again," added Wanyo.
Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, PennDOT crews have been making their way up and down Route 309 near Penobscot Mountain to install the signs in an effort to prevent another deadly crash like the one that happened last month.
The crash on May 10 left a man dead and prompted changes along Route 309 in the Ashley area. A few weeks after the wreck, PennDOT crews installed rumble strips and Friday they began putting up warning and advisory signs in and around the same area. The main goal is to make sure drivers are aware cars and trucks may be turning left into the new Bentley's, a restaurant and business complex on Route 309.
Last month's crash victim was turning into the business when his antique Chevy Nova was hit. Police said Craig Lear, 64, of Mountain Top was killed.
Now PennDOT is working to make the turn safer.
"Mostly in the northbound direction, the trucks will be in the right lane, not in the left. They can't stop as quick, so if someone's turning from the left hand line, they don't get crunched from behind," said Michael Romanowski of PennDOT.
PennDOT hopes that by July 4th it will have 30 advisory and warning signs along Route 309 between Interstate 81 and Penobscot Mountain.
"It was something you'd see on a James Bond movie," said Bob Wanyo of Bentley's, recalling the accident." The gentlemen wanted to come in and have a good time. Before he knew it, he was here, then he was gone."
Bob Wanyo was working security at Bentley's when he watched the deadly crash happen. He, along with management, said the new signs are coming at the right time considering their grand opening is Saturday.
"Very important. With PennDOT putting in rumble strips and all the signage that's going up. Safety is the biggest concern here," said Michael Sura, Bentley's general manager.
"Our functions, from here on out, we're going to take major pre-cautions so that doesn't happen again," added Wanyo.
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