01/05/2024
** Route 325 Emergency Mile Marker Signs **
Prepare for possible delays in travel on Route 325 from January 5, 2024 to January 15, 2024 due to the installation of safety mile marker signs.
*** PLEASE READ ***
Rush Township is pleased to announce the installation of mile markers along Route 325 for ease of location and quicker response during the event of an emergency.
Rush Township (Dauphin County) has partnered with neighboring township, Middle Paxton to bring a long overdue project to fruition. Rush Township's Supervisor/Chairman, Michael Brennan has stated "We are so glad we can finally incorporate safety measures that are long overdue." Rush Township has been working on this road sign project since 2018. The implication of these signs will ultimately make it easier for emergency response teams to respond to an emergency. Brennan said, "There have been several instances along Route 325 where our local fire companies and ambulances could not immediately locate a motor vehicle accident due to the uncertainty of the location relayed to 911. Most people will only reference the Dehart Dam as an approximate location. Considering Dehart Dam is seven miles long this causes delays in responding to an emergency situation. Seconds matter in these situations and pinpointing locations is critical!"
Rush Township had originally contacted PennDot to discuss installing mile markers along this heavily traveled portion of Route 325. They were told PennDot would not install mile markers along this road as mile markers were only installed on interstate roads such as 81 and 83. After hearing this news Rush Township had decided to take matters into their own hands. With much research in hand they reached back out to PennDot and asked if they (Rush) pay for the signs were they able to install them along the roadway. The idea was not rejected, but had to go through several critical steps before being approved.
In 2019 Rush applied for and was granted funds from the Hollywood Casino Gaming Grant Program to pay for the installation of the mile markers. However, there were still more hurdles and paper trails ahead. After a prolonged period of phone calls and meetings between PennDot and Rush Township's engineer Light-Heigel & Associates, Rush was given the green light to install signs on a "pilot program" as long as the signs met PennDots standards.
The signs will start with 0.0 in Middle Paxton Township where 325 and 225 intersect and end with 24.0 in Rush Township at the Dauphin/Schuylkill County line. These signs will indicate what township and mile you are located. Middle Paxton Township signs will span from 0.0 miles to 9.5 miles and have a visible "Mid Pax" imprinted on the sign while the 10.0 to 24.0 miles signs will have "Rush" imprinted on them. This will also aid in the dispatch from 911 knowing which company or companies should respond to what location.
"Our intentions of installing the mile markers are not only to give emergency response teams a more accurate location of a situation, but to also give travelers who are driving, biking, or walking a sense of where they are on a roadway filled with trees and not much else" Brennan said.
The installation of these signs will take place in the beginning of January 2024 with the aid of Middle Paxton Township. Commuters should prepare for possible delays during heavy travel times in the morning and afternoon.
