JACKSON TWP — Two trucks en route to a Marcellus Shale gas processing plant in May blocked traffic and caused significant delays for the Seneca Valley School District’s afternoon dismissal, a situation Superintendent Tracy Vitale wants to avoid in the future.

Vitale last week sent a letter to the state Department of Transportation asking for better communication and coordination.

Seneca Valley’s secondary campus in Jackson Township has two main roads used for entry and exit to the campus. One is Little Creek Road, which runs past the campus, and the other is Hartmann Road, which links up nearby.

The two trucks just happened to be in those areas on May 22 when more than 4,000 students and staff were leaving the campus.

Jackson Township police forced the truck on Little Creek Road to pull over and wait until dismissal was over, while they also regulated a nearby traffic light to ensure that traffic kept moving.

However, school buses and student drivers were still delayed by about 30 minutes because of the trucks.

In her letter, Vitale expressed her displeasure with the situation.

“I personally observed the resulting traffic gridlock and was concerned for the safety of our bus drivers, as well as our junior licensed drivers,” she wrote.

“In addition to rerouting traffic, the event caused a domino effect and delayed our elementary dismissal procedure. The overall negative impact involved nine communities and 8,000 students and staff.”

Vitale asked that state officials limit permits for truck traffic issued between 7 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. on school days.

If permits for large trucks are issued during that time, Vitale asked that officials coordinate with school officials to avoid a similar situation in the future.

“Because there was no advanced warning or communication with the school district, we were left to address the situation in a reactionary manner rather than a proactive approach,” Vitale said in the letter.

Vitale also copied township police Chief Terry Seilhamer on the letter because Seilhamer was involved in trying to fix the traffic problem in May.

Vitale sent the letter after talking with Seilhamer.