Thompson Run Road closure expanded after motorists ignore road-closed sign

Tony LaRussa | Monday, July 15, 2019 3:11 p.m.

Lanes in both directions along a section of Thompson Run Road in Ross were shut down this afternoon after motorists ignored a road-closed sign for work being done in the southbound lane, according to officials.

The southbound lane was closed June 7 when a consultant conducting a routine inspection discovered that a stone abutment for Thompson Run Bridge No. 3 had washed away during recent storms. Engineers determined that the bridge could become structurally deficient if it is not fixed.

Stop signs were set up June 9 at both ends of the northbound land between Radcliff Drive and Babcock Boulevard to allow traffic from both directions to continue to use the road.

Initial plans called for closing off all southbound traffic for two weeks starting July 15 to create a construction zone and continuing to allow motorists to travel northbound.

But both lanes were closed after drivers continued to travel southbound, according to the officials.

“This (closing both lanes) is unfortunately necessary due to the failure of many motorists to abide by the road closed signs on the southbound side of Thompson Run,” said Ross Commissioner Dan DeMarco in social media post. “Ross Township Police issued 14 citations to motorists who ignored the signs.”

DeMarco said he also received several complaints about a near head-on collisions that occurred near the construction zone after a driver failed to heed the sign.

Traffic near the construction site will follow a detour using Siebert and McKnight road and Babcock Boulevard.