Meeting held for residents on State College Connector project amid worries
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — PennDOT held a public meeting Thursday night to hear input and inform residents about the State College Area Connector project. Residents are nervous about the project while state leaders say the highway will benefit the future.
An 8-mile stretch of Centre County is expected to be changed over the next decade. PennDOT recently released the recommended preferred alternative route. The route chosen is the central alternative route because it will have the least impact on residents and the environment. PennDOT hosted a public meeting where several residents filled the room to ask questions and express concerns.
'But neither one of them is going to go across our property. I just want to keep the noise and all the confusion as far away from us as possible. I do feel for some of our neighbors because it's going to be taking out, some of our neighbors,' Colyer Resident John Smith said.
State College Connector leaving residents worried, PennDOT says it will benefit the future
The 8-mile stretch will take out homes and farmland. However, District Executive for PennDOT District 2 Thomas Prestash says the project overall is for a better future.
'We want to make sure that it meets the needs of the community. You know, it's a safe traveling highway because we are affecting property. So we want to make sure we take that input, take it back whether it's access issues or noise or whatever issues out there so we can take that back to our team and make a better project,' Prestash said.
The thought of a four-lane highway going in their backyard has created anger and uncertainty for the future.
'I don't want to live next to a four-lane,' Colyer Resident Greg Smith said. 'My wife and I, we work hard. All our lives were retired, and we bought these two pieces of property and put that house right there because to watch the sun come up over that pond. And now we're going to see the sun come up over a four-lane highway.'
Smith moved to the area two years ago. After many years of hard work, their future is in question.
'My wife and I have done everything right. You know, I was in the in the military for 20 years. We put our own kids to school. We pay our way. We're at the point in our lives where we thought we could sit back and relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor. And now this comes up, and that's all gone,' Smith said.
PennDOT officials say it's never easy telling someone they will be displaced but ultimately they want to create a safer roadway for everyone.
'Number one reason. Safety. We recently had a fatality here. I mean, this new project will save lives,' Prestash said.
Many residents like Smith also agreed with Prestash.
'The accidents on that road and the devastation is horrendous. Every year, tractor-trailers and people are getting killed out on that road,' Smith said.
Many at the meeting just wanted to know what's going to happen and for delays to stop. Construction is not predicted to start until at least 2030.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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