Trip of a Lifetime - Final Leg in the Journey of Acid Rock & Fly-ash to the Centre County Designated "Toilet" in Pine Township, Indiana Co!

The Trip of a Lifetime!
Final Leg in the Journey of Acid Rock & Fly-ash to the
Centre County Designated "Toilet" in
Pine Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania!

An Index of Contents

Hello again -- didn't we meet recently in that area which deals with the acid rock controversy spawned by a conspiracy headed up by PennDOT which is wanting DEP's approval in this venture? Purpose of this area is to trace the last leg of the routes which will likely be traveled by the acid rock loaded trucks coming from Centre County and fly-ash loaded trucks coming from a power station at Seward PA. Lots of traffic issues even before the acid rock guys hit Cambria Co. but it gets more interesting when they begin to bear down on Ebensburg. The fly-ash guys coming north on Route 403 will provide excitement long before getting to Dilltown, which is where we will show some scenes of the trip from there. Again, an index will be provided so you can go to different aspects of these thrilling journeys! Enjoy your trips!

At the bottom of this area there is a link which will take you back to "Acid Rock, Fly-ash, PennDOT, and DEP -- a Deadly Mix in Any Man's Language!"

Convoy of Acid Rock Approaching Ebensburg!

Route 22 Traffic Lights

According to the "rules" the acid rock haulers will "bypass" Ebensburg on Route 22 -- just a bit of hitch in this -- there are 3 traffic lights -- this is the first one you hit coming from the east. As you can see, there is a bit of traffic here. But keep in mind this is a slow day -- it was President's Day when these photos was taken, so traffic is down, but still there are some trucks running. Oh, well -- lumber up grade with my load to the next light!

Ah, the second traffic light -- and what a location! All kinds of stuff here -- an entrance to Wal-Mart to the right if you are traveling west. And if you want to share a cheery hello with PennDOT people, just hang a left at this light -- one of PennDOT's places is right here! When traffic is normal during the day, things can get stacked up at this light in no time at all!

Finally the west bound acid rock haulers reach the third traffic light. Lots of action going in all 4 directions at this one. Once you make it through here, you only go a short piece and you exit on a ramp to get on Rt. 219 north. It's only a couple of miles or so until you come to the "killer" intersection at Rt. 219 and Rt. 422.

Hey! How About a Shortcut Through Ebensburg!

There are truckers who like to take the "shortcut" through Ebensburg rather than the Rt. 219 "dog leg" over to Rt. 422 if they are going west, or vice-versa if they are going east -- it's much more convenient to go through Ebensburg since there are only 3 traffic lights, the same as on congested Rt. 22! As you can see, some trucks are headed through town even on President's Day. This is the second light. Oooooh! See that black smoke belching from that one headed west? And in the photo below, how about that big old Peterbilt waiting at the light headed east? And did you notice -- he's stopped right beside one of Edgar Snyder's law offices -- keep that in mind -- if one those acid rock or fly-ash haulers slams into you and you live to tell about it, Edgar will help you get a fortune in a lawsuit -- why he might even get enough that it will put the trucking company out of business -- such things have happened in this "sue happy" culture! Now you need to understand, he'll take a nice chunk of it for himself first!

Now rumor has it that PennDOT insists that acid rock haulers will use the "dog leg" and not take that "shortcut" through Ebensburg borough. There's talk of hefty fines and stuff like that! Oh? Well, what do they propose to do about the trucks running through town now? It would be more than a tad hypocritical to single out the acid rock haulers and make tons of money off them while letting that flock of others keep on running through town -- but then, when has Harrisburg PA and anything associated with it politically and bureaurcratically ever been consistent?

Here we are at the 3rd light in Ebensburg if you are hauling your load west as acid rock haulers will be doing from Centre County. For the flatbed guy you see, it's light #1 for him, then the center of town, then down a hill to the 3rd light at the bottom beside a fishing lake called Lake Rowena. He'll go past that on to an overpass over Rt. 22 -- then make a turn and get on Rt. 22 east -- and in the process be a way ahead of the guy who decided to "dog leg" over to Rt. 22 via Rt. 219 south!

Get Through Killer Intersection #1!

If the acid rock haulers abide by the "rules" -- they will exit Rt. 219 north and come down a ramp where a stop sign will greet them -- see where that 18 wheeler is sitting and waiting to cross over and proceed west? But there is also the gang that decided to "short cut" through Ebensburg -- see them heading west? Sometimes it's like they are jockying for position on those two lanes as if they were in the Indy 500! Now in this mix is another ingredient -- about .2 of a mile back from where those trucks are moving are four schools -- Central Cambria Jr/Sr High and Elementary, Admiral Peary Vo-Tech, and Bishop Carroll. You should be here to see all those trucks, buses, and motoring public mix it up at certain hours of the day, and for a crazy few, the flashing school zone lights don't mean a "hill of beans!" Once you get through this, if you're hauling acid rock, you are on your way to Strongstown which is about 13 miles west.

Roll or Creep on Sawmill Hill!

If you happen to be starting down this dip and a tri-axle driver catches up to you, you have more than outside chance that he'll try to intimidate you to "move it" so he can get a run for that long hill you see ahead -- 18 wheelers do the same thing. If you are coming east and start to descend the hill, look out! Keep an eye in the rear view mirror and your foot planted on the gas pedal -- if you just let her roll down the hill, it's easy to hit the bottom at 70 or 75 MPH! A great feeling, especially if you have the bumper of a truck breathing on your trunk lid!

Oh yes, just another thing to remember about Sawmill Hill -- see the photo on the right where you are about to descend the hill? Well further back behind those vehicles a short distance are two turn-offs into housing developments -- one to the right and the other to the left. School buses exit and enter crazy Rt. 422 here as well as the residents who live in those many homes. When you have a stretch of traffic with a large number of vehicles in line, it's pure bedlam! It'll be more exciting once the acid rock haulers start through there!

Get Through Killer Intersection #2!

As mentioned in the main area about this acid rock & fly-ash issue, there are the "killer" intersections along Rt. 422 -- Bethel is perhaps the most infamous. It's nothing to be heading east and approach this intersection only to have someone who is in a hurry run the stop sign in front of you and get upset if it appears you are getting too close to them! Road rage is sparked over incidents such as that, not to mention collisions!

Get Through the Belsano "Dog Leg!"

Going west through Belsano is a breeze -- it's down hill and down grade all the way for about a mile and half at least -- the 35 MPH speed limit is ignored more than heeded! And there's that tricky "dog leg" caused by Rt. 271 north & south you have to watch, due to traffic traveling that road constantly not to mention all the Blacklick Valley school buses traveling the area at certain morning and afternoon hours.

Now in that photo on the right -- you see that red Ford tri-axle? And behind him are some cars etc. -- go about 150 yards or so and on the right side going up you come to a day care center! Now just when things are really buzzing here mornings and afternoons, you have parents dropping their children off and picking them up at the center -- then comes the fun of getting back on to Rt. 422 -- just an added adventure in Belsano besides the Rt. 271 "dog leg" deal! The acid rock haulers will really make it a fun thing!

Hit That Dip Over Blacklick At No Less Than 65!

As mentioned it is down hill and down grade all the way from Belsano to this dip which passes over Blacklick Creek. Either west bound or east bound, the tri-axle guys and the 18 wheeler people like to drive that gas pedal through the firewall! This is where my wife (best wife I've had for nearly 53 years and I'd like to keep her around for a while!) just about got launched into eternity! She was west bound and waiting for oncoming traffic to pass so she could make a left turn on to Vic Miller Road -- we live about 1 mile back. A tri-axle popped over the brow coming east -- one of those guys who wanted to wind his speedometer around a couple of times or so and there was no way he could get stopped -- fortunately the driver coming on saw what was happening and veered to the right with the tri-axle (who forgot to put his brains in his head when he left home that morning) flying by my wife on the left side and cutting in, narrowly missing the oncoming car! Now throw a bunch of acid rock haulers into this scene with the understanding that they will be wanting to "make time" and as Deputy Barney Fife (of Andy Griffith Show fame) would say, "We've got a situation!"

As an aside -- some time back I was coming into Strongstown from Indiana and a tri-axle pulled out in front of me at the intersection -- I had to brake in order to keep from hitting him. He started to gear up through the village, and so I figured I'd stick with him. He hit the down grade at the United Methodist Church and really began to carry the mail! I stayed with him and he was hitting speeds of 70 to 75 MPH! Apologies to the PA State Police -- should I have done a citizens arrest? But when those guys hauling acid rock pull out of that intersection in Strongstown and head east to go pick up another load, do you suppose they are going to stick to the speed limit?

Watch the Killer at Strongstown!

OK - we're getting close, but this too is an intersection with a bloody history, so be careful. Oooops! Watch those PennDOT trucks -- they hang out at a place along Rt. 403 north. As it is further east, so this place gets a little hairy at times -- school buses from 2 districts run in this area -- Penns Manor and United. How will it go when the buses share the road with acid rock haulers and fly-ash haulers? What's that Barney? Oh yes, a "situation!"

I want to go to the Index

Convoy of Fly-ash Approaching from the South on Rt. 403!

Rt. 403 North from Dilltown

PennDOT's proposal to truck tons and tons of fly-ash to the designated Centre County "toilet" site in Pine Township in Indiana County will mean a flood of tri-axles meandering over Routes 711 and 403 from a generating station in Seward PA. The journey over 403 gets interesting after coming down a steep hill into Dilltown where there is a little bridge, with stress on the word, "little!" Above you see a part of it with a brass plaque -- probably about the most solid thing about this bridge! The plaque has this inscription -- "Farris Engineering Company, Constructing Engineers, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, 1924"

Is your curiosity aroused yet? Want to see more? Take a good look at what those tri-axles with tons of fly-ash will travel over as they motor on through Dilltown!

As you can see, this little bridge has not only been around a while, but it is showing wear and tear from decades of use. Vision is very limited as you get ready to cross over to the other side. Even our Amish neighbors might have second thoughts about taking their horses and buggies across this one -- weight concerns, you know, on the part of those who give serious thought to the bridge's condition! The other photos give further encouragement as to the shape it's in. Unfortunately my camera wasn't working and I missed getting a whopper of an 18 wheeler going over this -- now that was a sight to see! Special thanks to Butch Rodkey of Strongstown who provided the bridge photos in this section.

Hey, what's this? Seems PennDOT has equipment at this little bridge on February 21, 2006 -- is that an inspection that's going on? What do you suppose the report will be? Will it be a propaganda thing, or the truth? Stay tuned on this one -- maybe we'll hear about it at the big March 7 meeting at Penns Manor High School -- you need to be there!

In the left photo, notice how close the Post Office is to the road -- wonder how long it will be before one of those fly-ash loaded tri-axles cleans off the front side of the P.O? Since it is federal property will Uncle Sam bear down a little on this operation?

Looking north you see a gift shop located beside the Ghost Town hiking and biking trail. That's why the intersection sign is there, since hikers and bikers have to park vehicles in a parking and picnic shelter area which is out of view and to the left of the road as you look at the building. Then comes the fun! Get across that road with tri-axles coming and going and head up the trail. Yea, you guessed it -- another Barney Fife "situation" again! It's going to happen a lot if PennDOT pulls off this debacle.

A big hill just north of Dilltown with curves in it -- a loaded tri-axle will crawl up this one in grandma gear, but coming back empty he'll really fly down hill all the way into Dilltown to make up for lost time on the trip north. Notice residences that are close to the road -- families with small children will have much to be concerned about, not to mention trying to leave your driveway and pull out on to Rt. 403!

Curves are always exciting with tri-axles on roads not specifically designed for them -- here we approach one with a reminder that there is a business just around the corner. But there's something else -- in spite of some straight sections of road, this is also farming country -- so in addition to Amish families in their buggies, and school buses, you will have farm equipment from time to time running up and down the road! A farm tractor is definitely not a speed demon anywhere -- I know -- I used to run one of them many moons ago in Clarion County! So about the time that tri-axle fly-ash hauler decides to really let it out along here, what does he do when traffic is coming the other way and suddenly there is a John Deere in his sights?

After getting around that John Deere and we're finally getting things moving, wouldn't you know it -- there's one of those %%***##@@%%## (expletive deleted) stop signs! Oh, well, we'll just move on through it -- no one coming -- besides, we don't believe stop really means stop! We just have to watch it a little bit if there happens to be a log truck going in the opposite direction. And it's good to keep an eye out for these guys when they are loaded -- being very top heavy when loaded, they have to really take it easy, especially around turns!

More signs reminding us that there is a 10 ton weight limit on this road, which is being generous. But then kind of like Harry Potter, PennDOT sort of waves a wand and hocus pocus -- we have the weight limit instantly increased to allow for hauling fly-ash in big trucks! Oh yes, another sign reminder that there are Amish folks in the area with horses and buggies on the road from time to time! But good news! After passing the signs it's another one of those down grade runs -- hit the bottom at 65 MPH and make it up the other side real fast -- here it works in either direction, north or south!

Ah, our journey on Rt. 403 from Dilltown finally brings us to the "killer" intersection at Strongstown -- seems the 18 wheelers are rolling pretty good through here -- so we may have to wait a bit, but we'll go straight across and join our acid rock hauling brothers coming in from the east on Rt. 422 and then head further north to what Centre County people consider "heaven" and an answer to their prayers, but folks here think otherwise!

Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here!

Finally, after negotiating a very hectic intersection -- the gang all heads north, some hauling acid rock from Centre County and some hauling fly-ash from Seward -- any overloads here for this road to endure? And once this thing gets underway, it'll be a real hoot as the loaded guys are going north and the empty guys are returning to get reloaded -- let's see now, can we make better time and add a few more pounds on the next trip?

Another slight down grade and very good for speed over this back country road which is already beginning to break up -- still level and fairly straight which is good for speed -- never mind the families with children along this road! And the dust which is kicked up and residue from the fly-ash guys flying through are good for the lungs!

Make a right turn here and suddenly the road changes - not as good a surface, and obviously it doesn't have a base to hold up under loaded tri-axle traffic. No traffic markings, so it's anybody's ball game -- native residents, watch out -- guess who will have to yield every time without exception? On second thought, it's not anybody's ball game -- the tri-axle guys are playing with a stacked deck! Don't forget there is a stop sign at the place where you turned in as you make your way back out on to 403, but then who pays attention to stop signs out here where police personnel rarely venture?

More curves -- then down grade into a curve and a short distance beyond is an intersection where we turn right to go to Centre County's you know what! And speaking of those curves which are a staple in much of Pennsylvania -- isn't it fun to go into one of these and meet a tri-axle coming the other way, taking his half of the road out of the middle? Natives living here will become veterans at that sort of thing if PennDOT has its way under the blessing of the DEP!

Ooooops! The road, if you can call it that, has changed again. It's obvious we are getting close to what Centre County people and supportive politicians would call "paradise" but here in Indiana County the people would call it the opposite -- an expression used to refer to a place which has very high temperatures, and a place you don't want to be around or to personally experience ever!

Here it is -- maybe using the term, the Centre County "toilet" isn't that far off base. It is kind of barren isn't it? But PennDOT plans call for 7 big piles of acid rock (pyrite) to be dumped here from Centre County and then a big bunch of fly-ash dumped here too plus "liners" installed -- all kinds of stuff to try to get the lid of Pandora's Box, which they opened in Centre County, tightly closed here in Indiana County!

Oh, did you notice there is a lot of dead stuff here -- no, a lot of it won't sprout come spring and grow a bunch of leaves -- it's DEAD! So why not invite the Centre County people, PennDOT officials, the DEP people and join the trio below in a celebration as we raise our glasses and toast the masterminds who have come up with such a brilliant solution to such a deadly hazard!


Harry the Hammer again! You now have an idea as to where acid rock haulers will be traveling once they hit Ebensburg and fly-ash haulers once they hit Dilltown on Rt. 403. The whole gang converges on the intersection at Strongstown and then heads north on Rt. 403 till they reach Centre County's designated "toilet!" You are now able to trace the routes by means of photos. Maps don't give you anything but squiggly lines -- pics help you see what's about to happen! There may be more information, pictures, or updating placed here in the future. What PennDOT and the DEP do will determine what happens here, and what changes, if any, will be made in the content of this web area in the future.

Don't Forget March 7th!

One final thing, if at all possible, attend the public meeting on March 7 at Penns Manor High School at 6:30 PM. The public hearing on the issue will begin at 8:30 PM. You must register if you want the privilege of speaking. A word of advice about this -- allow the public officials to speak and present their case without interruptions -- don't shout at them, etc. Each person will have an opportunity to speak if things are done in an orderly fashion. A lot of us (including myself) are certainly frustrated, but if we approach this sensibly and in a united fashion, talking from the heart and not from an emotionally whipped up brain alone, much more can be accomplished in the cause. See you at Penns Manor on March 7.

I want to go to the Index

February 20, 2006
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and presently pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy, PA
AND Non-Affiliated registered voter, Cambria Co. PA

T O P
Take me back to "Acid Rock, Fly-ash, PennDOT, and DEP --
a Deadly Mix in Any Man's Language!"

For comments, complaints, or just plain axe-grinding, contact C. D. Harriger by clicking on Penelope, efficient mail hostess of Circuit Rider's Range, and she will set up the email form for you to fill out and send on its way