Dear Editor:

PENNDOT recently installed handicap sidewalks and signal installations in the Borough of Tamaqua. From my viewpoint, it would appear that the projects are not complete. The timing sequence is way out of bounds. Motorists who drive East and West on the side streets know about the long time it takes for the signal to change, even in off-peak hours. Something should be done to rectify this horrible condition immediately.Churchgoers that attend St. Peter and Paul's church, exit their parking lot turning left onto Elm Street toward SR 0309 North. They encounter long delays, and little explanation is given to what the problem is. When you talk to borough officials, they state that PENNDOT is dragging their feet.Now we take a look at The Five Points intersection. Common sense would dictate that left turn signals should have been installed. The layout at the intersection is two lanes North on SR 309; two lanes South on SR 309; two lanes on East and West SR 209. A layperson with no knowledge of traffic would say common sense says turn signals should be installed. But then again, maybe common sense is not a determining factor.PENNDOT installed new signals throughout the town on SR 309 and SR 209, except one (1). That intersection is at Columbia and SR 209 where the East End Fire Company is located. Why is this intersection omitted from the project? It's like remodeling your home and say To Hell With The Kitchen!Numerous times throughout the course of construction, people had to walk into ongoing traffic because sidewalks were closed with incorrect signing or no signing at all. Traffic was horrible with incorrect signing and at times no flagman. Incorrect placement of sidewalks dictated the removal and replacement of those same sidewalks and if anyone seen the original placement in front of the bank, where you needed a four-wheeler to get up, knows what I'm talking.Since Representative Knowles has recently been appointed to the Transportation Committee, and along with Senator Argall from Lake Hauto, maybe they can get PENNDOT to correct these problems for the citizens of Tamaqua.Mike VadyakTamaqua