An intersection in Summit Hill, described as “really scary,” was one of two troublesome traffic locations discussed by a frustrated and worried Summit Hill Borough Council on Tuesday.

The intersection is White Bear Drive and Route 902 (Laurel Street), where traffic volume has increased dramatically because of the Route 209 rockslide closure between Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe. The road is a common detour taken by motorists to travel between the Panther Valley and Lehighton areas.

The other intersection is Amidon Street and Pine Street (also Route 902).

At both locations, motorists ignore the stop signs, make turns in front of moving traffic and are difficult to navigate with high traffic volume by mere design.

Charlene Lynn, a resident, said she travels through the intersection several times a day and “it’s really scary.”

Borough council member Joanie Morana echoed the statement: “For everybody, it really is scary.”

Lynn said not only does the high volume of traffic create problems, but the highway is a steep, winding hill and is being heavily utilized by tractor-trailers.

Just a stone’s throw from the intersection there’s a serpentine curve on the hill that makes it impossible to see oncoming vehicles beyond that point.

There was discussion that many motorists simply ignore the stop signs at both intersections.

Lynn said she sees the borough police patrolling at times, but “they can’t be there 24/7.”

Her daughter, Suzanne Black, urged the council to put safety first. She mentioned that school buses use the route daily.

Lynn said she has sent emails about the situation to PennDOT, state Rep. Doyle Heffley and Sen. David Argall but hasn’t received a response from any of them.

A letter was written by Kevin Steber, the borough’s emergency management coordinator, asking that a flashing light be installed by PennDOT at the White Bear intersection.

Steber wrote in the letter, “From an Emergency Management perspective, I have concerns about the potential for a serious vehicle accident at this intersection. The existing stop signs may not provide sufficient visual warning to approaching motorists, creating the potential for vehicles to enter the intersection without stopping or recognizing approaching cross traffic. Given the risk of serious injuries and property damage, additional traffic controls should be considered.”

He added, “I respectfully request that Council submit an expedited request to PennDOT for the installation of an LED flashing stop signs at this intersection and enlist the assistance of our state legislators in supporting and advancing this request.”

One factor that makes the intersection even more dangerous is that just a short distance away, Route 209 consists of a sharp curve coming down the hill, giving drivers a short amount of time to pull from the stop sign.

Lynn said that with the Route 209 road collapse, “I know we can’t control the amount of traffic.” She merely is hoping something is done to make the intersection safer.

Requesting the borough council’s assistance on the matter, Lynn said, “I think Summit Hill residents would appreciate it.”

Joseph Weber, president of the council, said of both intersections, “I think everybody is concerned.”

While taking a photo of the Amidon Street intersection yesterday afternoon, it was noted that three of five vehicles that approached Amidon from Pine Street did not stop at the intersection.

Council member Louis Mitchalk said he has contacted PennDOT officials and also is awaiting a response.

Weber said PennDOT generally requires a traffic study before taking action but feels the problems at these two intersections were brought on by an emergency.

Mitchalk said of the White Bear situation, “We’re between a rock and a hard place down there. It’s a PennDOT road so it’s out of our control.”

He said, as an example of the increased volume of traffic on Route of 902 since the road closure, that on Monday he went to work at 4:15 a.m. and passed four tractor-trailers on the steep road with serpentine turns, one of which had overheated brakes that could be smelled.

Black urged council to consider that “our safety comes first.”