ZELIENOPLE - Eventually, a southwest bypass of the borough could alleviate much of the traffic that clogs Main Street.

That idea, along with about 19 others, is on a list of possible short-, intermediate- and long-term solutions to the traffic congestion in the borough.

The list of possible solutions is the work of the Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce and the Zelienople Area Traffic Study.

The study, which is funded by the state Department of Transportation, includes input from members of the Zelienople Borough Council and other community leaders.

While all of solutions are feasible, the difficult part will be getting funds for the projects, said PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi.

With options ranging from modifying some streets to one-way roads, to widening lanes and coordinating traffic signals along Main Street, the most beneficial project is also the most costly.

According to the study, the construction of a southwest bypass would provide the largest reduction in traffic volumes on Main Street, with even larger reductions if the bypass were connected to Interstate 79.

The bypass, which would cross mostly undeveloped or agricultural land, is considered a very long-term solution, said Scott Snyder, project manager for the traffic study.

Right now, he said, the focus is on short- and intermediate-term changes.

Such possibilities include realigning roadways, installing traffic signals and the removal of on-street parking along Main Street.

Struzzi said the purpose of the study is to identify solutions to the borough's traffic problems.

The ideas, which will go before the study's Community Advisory Committee once more, will then be presented to the public for comment.

Once they have the suggestions, Struzzi said, the public would start to chose which ones they want completed first.

Until then, Struzzi said the committee is still moving through brainstorming sessions.