In early 2006, state Sen. Bob Regola supported a redesign of the west exit ramp of the Irwin Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Proposed by the late Larry Rhoades, a township industrialist, it was to access Route 30 and Pennsylvania Avenue in North Huntingdon.

Sen. Regola, R-Hempfield, briefed elected officials from North Huntingdon, Hempfield and Irwin at separate sessions about a potential ramp extension that would access Pennsylvania Avenue in the vicinity of the Carlton Motel.

Those officials gathered with Norwin area civic and business leaders in another meeting at the North Huntingdon Town House, hosted by Mr. Rhoades. Representatives of Westmoreland County, PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission were there, too.

Mr. Rhoades envisioned the extension as highlighting the entrance to Kennametal subsidiary Extrude Hone, EX One and Zoombang Protective Materials, on the Straw Pump side of the turnpike.

The project mustered little interest after Mr. Rhoades' death in April 2007, and eventually was shelved.

Sixteen months later, the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. board of directors believes an extension of the west ramp to Pennsylvania Avenue might be a great idea.

Concerns about traffic backup on both exit ramps from the turnpike adding to Route 30 congestion are mounting.

Director of Industrial Development Larry J. Larese, a WCIDC member, said the board has commissioned URS Corp. to conduct a $10,000 traffic and safety feasibility study of a ramp extension to Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Actually, there is no location set yet where the ramp extension would access Pennsylvania Avenue. The study should determine a recommendation," said Mr. Larese, whose development board includes county Commissioners Tom Balya, Kim Ward and Tom Ceraso.

Last month, the North Huntingdon commissioners declared the vacant Carlton Motel to be a public nuisance and ordered it to be demolished.

Officials received 14 bids to do the work, but owner Dr. Gary P. Monsour obtained an injunction in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court that prevents the township from moving forward. A hearing is set for Oct. 3.

Irwin council last month commissioned URS to perform a $12,000 traffic calming study on Pennsylvania Avenue beginning near Main Street to the west and ending at Cherokee Street to the east.

"[That] study is linked to the proposed turnpike extension feasibility study," Mr. Larese said.

Both studies are being funded by state Department of Community Development revitalization grants secured by Sen. Regola, he noted.

"We approached PennDOT about doing the project. They showed interest, but would not pay for a feasibility study," Mr. Larese said.

Irwin Councilwoman Danyce Neal said: "A turnpike exit ramp accessing Pennsylvania Avenue definitely would impact traffic flowing through Irwin. Motorists use Main Street and Oak Street as shortcuts to avoid Route 30 traffic congestion to reach North Irwin, Trafford, Route 993 and Penn Township.

"We're thinking speed bumps and stop signs to slow traffic. That's not enough to slow down the volume of traffic that would be generated by an extension. It's going to be a nightmare for our residents."

Matt Junker, a member of Sen. Regola's staff, is familiar with the proposed extension project. He said some commuters using the extension could use First Street in Straw Pump to access Route 993 in Westmoreland City to reach Manor and Penn Township.

"The study should include recommendations to reduce traffic congestion on all roads in that area," he added.

North Huntingdon commission President Dave Herold said: "I feel an extension of the west exit ramp would reduce turnpike traffic trying to access Route 30. The traffic gridlock at rush hour is terrible and it's getting worse."