Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton This intersection - Route 957 and Route 62 - was given a “high” priority designation in the region’s long-range transportation plan, citing “poor sight distances caused by a high bank.”

Reading a “long-range transportation plan” might not sound like many people’s idea of a good time.

But road and bridge projects that come to fruition in Warren County started in a plan.

And a draft of the plan that identifies transportation priorities through 2050 was released late last year by the Northwest Commission.

So what projects have transportation planners projected for the next 25 years in Warren County?

A listing of “candidate projects included with the reminder that the list is “unfunded and illustrative only. The RPO will consider candidates from this project listing as future programs are being developed.”

Projects are listed by order of priority – high, medium and low.

First on the list is a safety study for Route 62.

“Safety concerns along US 62 lead many drivers to use PA 27 as an alternate route,” planners detail. The road is – again – “currently programmed for slide repairs; however, a safety study would be beneficial to identify other improvements.”

Several intersections in the county are targeted with a “high” priority.

In the City of Warren, that includes Pennsylvania ave. and Conewango Ave. for signal improvements as well as intersection safety improvements – additional left turn lanes included – at Fifth Ave. and Conewango Ave.

The intersection of Route 62 and Route 957 is also targeted as it is considered “unsafe due to poor sight distances caused by a high bank.”

Route 62, presumably south of the city, is also eyed for roadway improvements.

“Pavement conditions are poor with potholes and cracking,” the plan details. “The roadway is also very narrow.”

“Widening and resurfacing” is also suggested for Route 957.

The remaining projects given the “high” designation are a possibly bike trail between Youngsville, Route 62 east of Irvine as well as “improved bicycle facilities” on Route 62 in North Warren and “bicycle and pedestrian connectivity improvements connecting local businesses at the intersection of US 6 and Kinzua Road with other destinations in Warren.

Some of the projects included in the “medium” rating include bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to Jakes Rocks on Route 59, a trump climbing lane on Route 59 and intersection improvements at the intersection US 6 and Route 27 in Pittsfield.

Youngsville Streetscape work is included in this rating along with a number of bridge replacements throughout the county.

Constructing missing access ramps on the east side of the overpass of US 6 at Main Ave. is a project detailed here that has been discussed for several years.

Low priority projects identified include a total of 14 bridge replacements, intersection improvements to the Werner Park entrance and work on Brennan Rd.

At the outset, the plan commemorates the 23 years of service that Warren County Planning Director – now commissioner – Dan Glotz gave as chair of the region’s Transportation Advisory Committee.

“The commission expresses its gratitude for Dan’s dedicated service and leadership to the region,” Northwest Commission Executive Director Jill Foys writes in the plan. “He guided the Northwest Rural Planning Organization (RPO) through many transportation initiatives over the years.

“Although we cannot precisely foresee the future, we have a responsibility to anticipate and prepare for challenges and opportunities,” Glotz said in a letter in the plan. “This supports better decision-making in terms of how we allocate limited resources, maintain our transportation infrastructure and services, and formulate policy.”

He cited several emerging trends and priorities that could shape transportation planning in the coming years from electric vehicles to automated vehicles, public transit, active transit – bicycle and pedestrian-friendly roadways – and the importance of asset management.

“Over the planning horizon of this 2050 LRTP (long-range transportation plan), Northwest RPO (Rural Planning Organization) will continue to work toward delivering a transportation program that improves the safety, fairness, and resiliency of our transportation system.”

The Rural Planning Organization encompasses five counties – Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango and Warren. The organization receives transportation funding for the region and allocates those dollars to projects.

The plan details that the region is expected to see a growing senior population which “translates to the need for more public transportation services and a highway system that is more predictable to use, with greater reflectivity, maintenance, protection of traffic in work zones, and improved signage, among other considerations.”

“Nine out of ten of the region’s workers commute to their place of employment by private automobile, attesting to the importance of the roadway network in support of the region’s economy,” the report details.