County and local government officials are fairly quick to point out that $28 billion in commodities passed through the Route 228 corridor in 2017.

Over the past several years, much-needed projects have aimed to increase capacity on the road.

With roads being widened and straightened, the major throughway will be more capable of handling the increase in traffic that only stands to become greater.

However, for Adams Township leaders, another road has been an area of attention — one they felt wasn’t being given proper treatment by the state.

That’s why this week’s announcement by supervisors that a plan to “turn back” Three Degree Road is such a big deal.

Officials said they have been working on an agreement with PennDOT for five years.

Under the proposal, the township would be responsible for a five-mile stretch of the road through Valencia Borough to Union Church Road. Bridges and railroad areas would remain the property of PennDOT.

In brokering a deal, county officials said they were able to negotiate the cost to a little more than $4.3 million — $1 million less than PennDOT originally sought.

PennDOT would reimburse the township for most of that cost, with the township ultimately responsible for about $156,000 in engineering and inspection costs.

Township and county officials should be commended for working hard and being diligent in attempting to reduce the cost to taxpayers.

They should be even further commended for working together and looking out for neighboring Valencia, where financial issues have persisted in recent years.

Borough officials there are in the process of using the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Program through the Department of Community and Economic Development to find financial stability.

That program would provide matching grants to help the borough to become financially solvent.

While that work is ongoing, Valencia surely does not have an extra $514,843 in the coffers to help with the Three Degree Road project.

However, under the proposal, PennDOT would reimburse Valencia for that money, resulting in a zero net cost for the borough.

The deal is a victory for all involved parties as well as those who travel the busy road each day.

An upgraded, safe roadway that can complement ongoing work on Route 228 will prove to be beneficial as the area continues to expand.

Supervisors noted PennDOT still has the ability to reject the deal.

We encourage state officials not to do this as the proposal presented is a great example of local and state governments coming together for the greater good of the people.

— JWJ