Quaker Valley Traffic Study Committee Meets Tonight

A committee comprised of Quaker Valley citizens is expected to hold its first meeting tonight to review results of a high school traffic study.

Tina Vojtko, district spokeswoman, said two students and 15 community members were chosen to serve from each of the three regions. The ad hoc committee is tasked with reviewing the high school engineering study and making recommendations.

Vojtko said the committee will likely meet twice more before presenting an impartial opinion to the school board this spring in time for budget season.  

The school board commissioned the study last year looking for ways to alleviate traffic and enhance pedestrian safety outside Quaker Valley High School. In October, David E. Wooster & Associates presented its long- and short-term solutions and gave a final recommendation: pursue a permanent student pickup and drop-off plan.

The school board hired the traffic engineering firm after a grassroots group called the Concerned Taxpayers of Quaker Valley spoke out against the district's nearby property purchases. Prior to the study, Quaker Valley purchased two homes at 704 and 706 Beaver St., with plans to purchase a third residence for a proposed parking lot, drop-off and bus turnaround. 

The board hasn’t taken any action on the traffic study results in hopes that the citizen committee can review and discuss the study first. The committee is being chaired by Assistant Superintendent Heidi Ondek and doesn’t include any school board members, Vojtko said.

“Board members really wanted to make sure we heard from the community. Because of that, none of them have opted to serve on the committee. Truly, it’s all coming from their constituents,” she said.   

Vojtko said the committee has more representation from Region 1, which includes Leetsdale borough, where the high school is based.

Each committee member received an email prior to today containing links and information to review for background. Some of the recommendations, even short-term plans, will need time to be implemented and Vojtko said the hope is that when the group meets tonight, they can hit they hit the ground running.

“We have a great group of people put together. We want to make the most of the time we have with them.”

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