The number of deadly crashes along one stretch Route 15 in Lycoming County has caught the attention of PennDOT.
Thursday night, officials announced plans for a $10 million project to make that road safer.
Over the years, one stretch of Route 15 in Clinton Township has claimed the lives of several drivers and passengers. Transportation officials said the number of deadly crashes on the corridor just outside South Williamsport is about 12 times higher than what is expected on roads similar to it.
Most recently, a 57-year-old Williamsport man was killed in a head-on crash in June.
Another head-on collision killed 19-year-old Kelly Mertes of Loyalsock in 2005.
"You wonder did she feel it?" asked Kelly's mother, Geri Mertes. "You know, she never regained consciousness. We had to let her go the following day."
Kelly's parents, Mike and Geri Mertes attended the public meeting in South Williamsport held by PennDOT to hear about the $10 million improvement project to make Route 15 safer.
Plans call for the installation of a permanent median barrier along a three-mile stretch of Route 15, starting at an auto shop north of Route 54, up to the PennDOT stock-pile at the top of the mountain.
"It will have an opening in there from the maintenance facility through some local businesses there, and then pick up near the rest area at the top of the mountain, and then continue down the north side of the mountain," said PennDOT official Eric High.
Officials said the median won't prevent crashes, but could save lives.
"A lot of times, the accidents are head-on or near head-on, people crossing the lines for various reasons," said South Williamsport Fire Chief Bill Henry.
It's a solution the Mertes' said they have wanted since the death of their only child.
"It completely wrecks your life, completely wrecks your life," said Geri Mertes. "Over something that's so simple: barriers."
PennDOT said the median will be installed in phases with plans to begin in the fall of 2010. If construction stays on track it will be completed by 2019.
Thursday night, officials announced plans for a $10 million project to make that road safer.
Over the years, one stretch of Route 15 in Clinton Township has claimed the lives of several drivers and passengers. Transportation officials said the number of deadly crashes on the corridor just outside South Williamsport is about 12 times higher than what is expected on roads similar to it.
Most recently, a 57-year-old Williamsport man was killed in a head-on crash in June.
Another head-on collision killed 19-year-old Kelly Mertes of Loyalsock in 2005.
"You wonder did she feel it?" asked Kelly's mother, Geri Mertes. "You know, she never regained consciousness. We had to let her go the following day."
Kelly's parents, Mike and Geri Mertes attended the public meeting in South Williamsport held by PennDOT to hear about the $10 million improvement project to make Route 15 safer.
Plans call for the installation of a permanent median barrier along a three-mile stretch of Route 15, starting at an auto shop north of Route 54, up to the PennDOT stock-pile at the top of the mountain.
"It will have an opening in there from the maintenance facility through some local businesses there, and then pick up near the rest area at the top of the mountain, and then continue down the north side of the mountain," said PennDOT official Eric High.
Officials said the median won't prevent crashes, but could save lives.
"A lot of times, the accidents are head-on or near head-on, people crossing the lines for various reasons," said South Williamsport Fire Chief Bill Henry.
It's a solution the Mertes' said they have wanted since the death of their only child.
"It completely wrecks your life, completely wrecks your life," said Geri Mertes. "Over something that's so simple: barriers."
PennDOT said the median will be installed in phases with plans to begin in the fall of 2010. If construction stays on track it will be completed by 2019.
