Gas Drillers Blamed for Damaged Signal Lights in Elderton
Emergency crews directed traffic at the intersection of Route 422 and Saltwork Street in Elderton Borough this morning after an unknown vehicle tore down five of the six traffic lights hanging above. Emergency crews were not able to identify the perpetrator.
by Jonathan Weaver
Crews may not be digging gas wells in Elderton Borough, but local residents are feeling the damage.
At approximately 6:08AM Thursday morning, unknown vehicles tore down traffic lights on Route 422 in Elderton causing emergency crews to direct traffic for hours.
Elderton Mayor Larry Prugh said these types of incidents have happened before.
“Don’t know for sure what took them down – we’ve had three incidents like this out here so far, and the other two have been because of Marcellus wells trucks – but we don’t know if this is one of those,” Prugh said. “It tore five of the six lights down on (Route) 422 and caused quite a traffic nightmare there for about four or five hours.
A damaged traffic light lies on the grass beside the Route 422/Saltwork Street intersection. State police troopers have classified the incident as a 'hit-and-run.'
“Quite extensive damage,” Prugh said.
A year ago, two ‘Traffic Signal Ahead’ signs were torn down by a gas company truck, which in tern paid for the damage
“Whoever hit this had to know they hit it because there was quite a bit of damage and the cable that keeps the lights from sways snapped right off and hit the house nearby and damaged the vinyl siding,” Prugh said.
The damage was called in to state police troopers by Elderton County Market Owner John Grabowski after hearing the lights fall to the ground. Elderton District Volunteer firefighters also responded to the scene.
Elderton Borough Police was not on-duty at the time of the incident.
Prugh said motorists are now able to navigate the intersection safely.
“We called Anderson Electric out of Indiana – they do the maintenance for us on the traffic lights – they got there about 7AM and took down all the damaged lights, so they are back online,” Prugh said. “They’ve been working on them all day, but they got them back online and everything’s working OK.”
Emergency officials have not yet determined the damage cost.
Elderton District Volunteer Fire Chief Mark Spence reported no injuries in the incident. He estimated crews were on-scene nearly four hours.
Prugh said trucks are supposed to have a precaution for these sort-of accidents.
“Supposedly, when they transfer units like that, they are supposed to have a lead car with a pole on the front of the truck with a height marker to identify anything the vehicles won’t clear, but I’m assuming when they transfer the rigs and the housing units that they’re not always doing that. In this case, it looks like it may have been a foot too high and just took everything down,” Prugh said. “I’m not sure how you can prevent it. They’re supposed to have precautions, but I don’t think it’s always happening.”
State police officers are investigating the incident as a hit-and-run.
Elderton Area | jweaver November 4, 2011 | 
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