PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A traffic signal has been the topic of local debate ever since it was installed four years ago.
The problem now? That traffic light still has not been turned on, and people living nearby are saying something needs to be done.
28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape tried to find out why the light was installed in the first place, and how neighbors are feeling about it.
28/22 News was at the corner of Maffot, Abbot, and Main in Plains Township.
While the traffic right now is pretty much nonexistent, earlier Thursday, it was bustling with vehicles, and people living nearby say the lack of a traffic signal has become a serious safety concern.
The traffic signal at the intersection of Maffet, Abbot, and Main streets in Plains Township has been the subject of debate since its installation in 2021.
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According to PennDOT, the light was installed after the Wilkes-Barre Area School District conducted a traffic impact study as part of the construction of their new school.
Four years later, the lights are still dark.
"I've seen a lot of ugly incidents there, and you know, like, people get into arguments and disagreements, especially when you get that morning hour rush traffic when everybody's trying to get to work," stated Alex Vidal, Plains Township.
"I find it annoying all the honking and horns and yelling and cursing. It's like, what are we doing? We have a traffic signal, but we don't turn it on," wondered Mark Cour, Plains Township.
According to our media partner, The Times Leader, the school district paid $268,000 for the installation of the light.
We reached out to the district for comment on the light, but did not get a response in time for this story.
In just 20 minutes, 28/22 News witnessed several close calls here at the intersection. Some drivers stop at the light, while others drive through it altogether.
That's where the problem and the confusion seem to lie.
We spoke with some residents off-camera who feel the light isn't necessary at all, but others do, saying it's a serious safety concern, especially with school traffic.
"School time, especially when the kids are crossing, you know, they have the crossing guard and all that, but you have distracted drivers," stated Vidal.
The crosswalk signals don't work either.
In 2023, PennDOT informed The Times Leader that the signals would be activated once a turning lane was installed; however, this would require widening the road.
No progress has been made on either front, and people who travel the road regularly want something to be done.
"Hopefully, we'll get resolved before something, you know, worse can happen, or tragedy or something can happen. You know, hopefully it just gets fixed in due time," hoped Vidal.
A PennDOT official told 28/22 News that the lights are close to being activated, but the Wilkes-Barre Area School District must first submit the signal maintenance agreement and signal application.
