The roundabout on Route 209 in front of Pleasant Valley High School isn’t the only road work around campus. It also includes work to the intersection of Route 115 and Pilgrim Way.

James Lynch, a partner at D’Huy Engineering Inc. in Bethlehem, told the school board during their meeting Thursday night that the exit/entrance to the middle school is not exactly across from Pilgrim Way. It will need to be realigned.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation considers the intersection to warrant a traffic signal since this access is the main route for dismissal for most of the school buses.

“A traffic signal is not necessarily guaranteed,” he said. “But PennDOT has put out the offer to both the school district and Chestnuthill Township to install the light.”

Maintenance of the light is the responsibility of the township, but a control box could be added to the light to allow a certified individual with the school district to control the light for during dismissal. He said Penn­DOT would like to know if the school district wants the light and/or the control box. Several members of the board said yes to let PennDOT know they are interested in this suggestion.

Lynch also detailed other points of the project. He said the first year of the four-year project will mainly involve relocating utility poles, which will also include the devices needed for telecommunications. The poles will be relocated by PPL.

Unless there are delays due to COVID-19, this part of the project should begin in the fall, he said.

“The desire, the need, the interest of the district is to make sure that there is no interruption of service while this work occurs,” he said. “And that’s been stressed numerous times to PennDOT.”

As far as propane, water well and sewer, these are on the school’s property and really won’t be impacted.

Lynch said PennDOT’s plans for stormwater management changed.

The original stormwater plan placed three basins on the district property. PennDOT reduced the number of basins and moved them off of district’s property and onto adjoining property.

It now plans to install infiltration trenches that will run along both sides of the roadway on Routes 209 and 115. These trenches will collect stormwater runoff from the streets.

The gymnasium exit from the campus on Route 209 will be a right-turn only. Any cars that want to go north on Route 209 will need to exit at the roundabout on Pleasant Valley Way or go to the exit on Route 115.

As far as replacement of signs and fencing, Lynch said PennDOT will offer the district fair market value for any items they have to take down. The district can then purchase the items and install them at a later date.

Lynch said PennDOT will also be giving them an appraisal for any land they have to take in order to complete the construction. He said the best way for the school board to know if it is fair is to have an independent appraisal done. That is underway right now with the assistance of the school district’s solicitor Mark Fitzgerald, and it will be coming in June.

School board Director Susan Kresge agreed with board President Donna Yozwiak when she said, “Yes, that’s vital information.”