Mahoning Township officials are concerned with the increased traffic along Ashtown Road brought about by the Route 443/Blakeslee Boulevard widening project.

The township’s board of supervisors said at Wednesday’s meeting that they are looking at using temporary speed bumps and a series of signs along Ashtown Road and surrounding roads to advise drivers of their options.

One of the side effects of the Route 443/Blakeslee Boulevard widening project is a substantial increase in car and truck traffic along Ashtown Road, as drivers try to bypass the road work.

Ashtown Road is a small road that runs parallel to Route 443, but is not used to such traffic.

The problem is especially compounded by drivers speeding along the road, which has residents and township officials concerned.

Vice Chairman Myron Blahy suggested a way to reduce speeding.

“Maybe if we have just a period of police presence and see if that would slow traffic down before we go ahead and put speed bumps and signage up,” Blahy said.

The board is also checking further on the single-lane stone bridge that connects Bridge Street with Ashtown Road, just past Baer Memorial Park.

While there is no weight limit posted, it is a concern that more heavy trucks are starting to use that road, and the bridge as well as the road surface itself might not be strong enough for heavy traffic.