Street System Classifications

During the preparation of the City of Pottsville’s Comprehensive Plan in 1988, streets within the City were classified utilizing the standard classification system developed by the National Committee on Urban Transportation. Since 1988, the street classifications have not changed as related to that system. During the course of the preparation of that plan two major roadways entering and leaving the City were clearly identifiable. PA Route 61 is an Arterial Street (streets which primarily connect to outside roadway systems providing limited access). State Route 901 is a Collector Street (streets which collect traffic from local roads channeling it into the collector street system). All of the other roads weaving their way through the City are considered local roads.

PA Route 209 still serves as a multi-purpose roadway acting as an arterial, collector and local roadway.

Circulation

Following the recommendations of the 1988 Comprehensive Plan, the City undertook an in-depth analysis of the circulation patterns associated with the Downtown Area of the City. The report is entitled City of Pottsville Downtown Area Traffic Study – 1998. The plan concentrated in that area of the City boarded by Laurel Boulevard to the north, Howard Avenue to the south, Progress Avenue to the East and Third Street to the west. The purpose of the plan was to "develop recommendations for improvement to the safe and efficient operation of vehicles and pedestrians in the Downtown Area, with emphasis on cost effective, easily implemented alternatives."

Major improvements to the traffic circulation problems identified in the 1988 Comprehensive Plan have been realized by the re-establishing two-way traffic on Centre Street between Laurel Boulevard and Market Street. The extension of Progress Avenue to Nicholas Street has also provided motorists with an opportunity to avoid the congestion at the intersections of City streets and Route 61 and the occasional problems at Centre and Nicholas streets.

Safety

In 1991, a transportation task force was formed by Schuylkill County to address the transportation problems associated with PA Route 61. Representatives from the City were part of that task force. Under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the consulting firm of Alfred Benesch and Company prepared a document entitled "Comprehensive Transportation Needs Analysis Study for PA Route 61 in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania" dated August 1996. The City comprises the area identified as Pottsville Planning Section 7. The key transportation issues addressed in the study were access, congestion and primarily safety. The following recommendations are taken directly from this study and are still relevant.

2. Improve the overall level of service at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 2002 (Bacon Street) to "C" or better.

 

3. Improve the overall level of service at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 209 (Mauch Chunk Street) to "C" or better.

 

4. Improve the overall level of service at the intersection of S.R. 61 and Arch Street to "C" or better.

 

5. Improve the overall level of service at the intersection of S.R. 61 and Mill Creek Avenue to "C" or better.

 

6. Improve the overall level of service at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 1002 (Norwegian Street) to "C" or better.

 

7. Improve the progression of S.R. 61 through all the signalized intersections in the planning section.

 

8. Rehabilitate or replace the bridge structure BMS 53 0061 0340 0507 (the Mady Bridges).

 

9. Rehabilitate or replace the bridge structure BMS 53 0061 0340 1356 (the Mady Bridges).

 

10. Improve the horizontal curve deficiencies and horizontal sight distance obstructions at identified curves.

 

11. Improve the sight distance at identified vertical curves.

 

12. The poor pavement condition warrants pavement repairs in the southern portion of the planning section. A bituminous overlay is required now and another one will be required eight to ten years later. A bituminous overlay will be required within the next five years and again eight to ten years after that in the northern section.

 

13. Reduce the number and severity of accidents to or below the statewide average at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 209 (Mauch Chunk Street). The predominant types of accidents at this location are angle, rear-end and head-on.

 

14. Reduce the number and severity of accidents at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 1002 (Norwegian Street). The predominant types of accidents at this location are angle and rear-end.

 

15. Reduce the number and severity of accidents at the intersection of S.R. 61 and Arch Street. The predominant types of accidents at this location are angle and rear-end.

 

16. Reduce the number and severity of accidents at the intersection of S.R. 61 and S.R. 1004 (Mill Creek Avenue). The predominant types of accidents at this location are angle, rear-end and head-on.

 

17. Reduce the number of pedestrian accidents within the planning section.

Parking in the CBD

The parking-related problems identified by the 1988 City of Pottsville Comprehensive Plan have been lessened with the construction of the new parking deck know as the Capitol Parking Deck and additional parking provided at the Union Street Lot.

The Pottsville Parking Authority undertook two parking studies. The 1999 study included the following inventory of all parking available in the City under private ownership:

TABLE 9 - PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE PRIVATELY-OWNED PARKING

The second study was conducted on May 2000. The results of the 2000-study show that all the lots owned by the Authority are currently underutilized, particularly in comparison to the City’s two parking decks.

TABLE 10 - OCCUPANCY OF CITY-OWNED PARKING AREAS

Public Transportation

The Schuylkill Transportation System (STS), a division of the REDCO Group, has been meeting the mass transit needs of the City of Pottsville and Schuylkill County since 1982. A County sponsored agency, STS is funded by Federal, State and County sources.

STS operates a well maintained fleet of twelve (12) County-owned passenger buses utilized in a bus system of fourteen (14) County-wide fixed routes, including a "Pottsville Loop", which traverses and connects the City directly with its adjoining communities. Bus schedules are convenient and reliable. Passenger fares are low and affordable, or free to senior citizens over the age of sixty-five.

Twenty-five (25) County-owned vans are also operated in the STS fleet to accommodate human service transportation needs within the City and County. All vehicles are handicap accessible and available to residents of any age in the Shared Ride Van Program. Through this program, residents can make reservations to be transported to and from almost any desired local destination, including medical appointments and pharmacies, but also to banks, grocery stores and church services, to name a few. Passenger fares in this program are also affordable, and senior citizen fares are subsidized through senior citizen service agencies and the Pennsylvania Lottery Program. Additional programs offered by STS include ADA Fixed Route and Paratransit Service, the Medical Assistance Transportation Program and even Group Charters.

While providing quality public transportation throughout Schuylkill County, it is apparent that STS also functions well within the City of Pottsville, especially serving the downtown area. When STS programs are used for transportation into, out of, or around the City, there are less individual vehicles impacting traffic circulation and parking areas in downtown Pottsville.

STS has recently purchased a 1930 renovated 22 passenger "street car bus". This vehicle can be used by both municipal and private entities for special events. STS is also formulating a schedule for the bus to promote public transportation in and around the City.

In an effort to meet workforce transportation needs, STS works together with local public agencies to evaluate current economic conditions and actively promote employment-based transportation services for economic development in the City and Schuylkill County.

One long-range goal presently being pursued is the feasibility of an "Inter-Modal Transportation Terminal", to be centrally located within the County. Currently only in the concept stage, STS is working with City and County agencies to first assess the need for such a terminal and the cost factors associated with the preliminary planning and development requirements needed for such a project.

Transportation needs and trends change. To accommodate future change, the Schuylkill Transportation System plans to always offer new or expanded programs and services to provide quality public transportation for Schuylkill County and the City of Pottsville.

Transportation Goals

• Provide for safe and convenient traffic circulation through and around the City.
• Provide for the safety of pedestrians.
• Provide for adequate parking to facilitate increased business in the Downtown Business District.

Transportation Recommendations

• Continue to cooperate with the Schuylkill Transportation System and promote the use of public transportation.
• Complete the recommendations for traffic light upgrades listed in the 1998 Downtown Area Traffic Study.
• Cooperate with the County of Schuylkill and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in the initiation of the improvements recommended in the 1996 Route 61 Corridor Study.
• Develop a "Street Maintenance Program" for a capital street improvements program to be updated on a seasonal basis.
• Determine the need for installing a traffic signal at Norwegian and Wolf Streets.
• Investigate the feasibility of making Second Street a one-way street. If Second Street is made one way then Third Street should also be one-way in the opposite direction.
• Improve the perception of the circulation and parking in downtown Pottsville. Add additional signage and provide merchants with information on parking availability for distribution.
• Monitor the safety of the recently permitted "Sheetz Intersection" located at the intersection of Market Street (PA Route 209) and the Gordon Nagle Trail (PA Route 901). Action should be taken by the City before PADOT if the intersection proves to be hazardous.

MAP 9 - TRAFFIC CIRCULATION PLAN

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