A Wal-Mart attorney threatened to take legal action because he said the plan would not support the traffic volume generated by a large store. Wal-Mart has presented several plans that include left-turn lanes; all have been rejected.
In response to the supervisors' vote, state Department of Transportation district administrator Andrew Warren this month sent a letter to the township saying the agency would build the jug-handles after they are designed by engineers for Longwood Gardens.
Both Wal-Mart attorney Jordan Warshaw and Supervisors Chairman Richard Hannum said Warren's letter was not clear about exactly what PennDot wanted to do before building the jug-handles.
In his letter, Warren stipulated that the township would have to get feedback from developers and property owners along the stretch of road and show that construction costs would not be excessive.
Warren also said PennDot will pay for the initial improvements but it will not pay to add a left-turn lane later if one is approved.
PennDot earlier rejected a similar proposal on the grounds that it would not support traffic generated by development. But Tim O'Brien, the agency's project manager, said in a telephone interview that it is time to move forward.
"We fully recognize that a left-turn lane is needed, but also we realize the need to get out there and improve safety on Route 1," O'Brien said. ''This alternative will accomplish both of those tasks."
