Oct. 11--GORDON -- State and local officials recently agreed to a plan to help prevent -- or at least greatly reduce -- truck accidents at the base of Gordon Mountain Road (state Route 4007).

A report on the meeting, held Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Mahanoy City office of state Sen. James J. Rhoades, R-29, was given by Gordon Borough Manager Paul L. Snyder during Tuesday's meeting of borough council. According to officials from District 5-0 of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) who attended the meeting, the size and number of signs at the top of the mountain will increase.

Several meetings have been held at Rhoades' office dealing with safety issues along the road due to accidents involving tractor trailers that crashed at the base of the mountain in the borough. The accidents have resulted in driver fatalities and property damage.

A nearby home, owned by Harry and Carol Cheeseman, has encountered many near misses by large trucks.

In most cases, the trucks involved in the accidents entered the borough accidentally due to drivers being confused on how to get to the Highridge on I-81 Business Park, which is managed by the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO).

"They're going to buy $42,000 in signs and take some of the signs down and replace them," said Snyder. "The engineer for PennDOT said these signs are being made specifically for Gordon Mountain Road, but he said this is it. They're not coming back anymore on this matter."

In addition to signs, trucks weighing more than 19,000 pounds will not be allowed to come down the highway.

"Those trucks will have to travel on Route 61 or take Interstate 81 to the Minersville exit and get on Route 901 if they're coming into Gordon," said Snyder.

Snyder noted trucks that detour to state Route 901 from I-81 to come in the back way to Gordon will be traveling through Barry Township, which is not an issue with township officials.

"Barry Township doesn't have any objections to it," he said.

In addition to Snyder and Rhoades, attending the meeting were Gordon Mayor Nick Troutman; state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, and his chief aide Edward Kleha; Rhoades' chief aide Clyde "Champ" Holman, PennDOT District 5-0 officials Joseph Rauscher, Michael Rebert, Frank Barone and Charles Enoch; Minersville Borough Council President William Angelo and borough Infrastructure Manager James Cleary; Cass Township Supervisor Brian Canfield; Barry Township road foreman Raymond Fey; and SEDCO President Frank J. Zukas and Vice President Gerald L. Heffner.

"The things they still have to discuss is how to implement this plan and what the costs will be," said Snyder.