ADAMS TWP — Mars School Board members recently raised concerns and opposition to PennDOT's plan to build a road less than 30 feet from Mars Primary Center.

The plan is a part of the Route 228 expansion project and involves creating a public access road that starts at Brickyard Road and cuts across the school's lawn. Officials argue the road would be just 28 feet from the Primary Center, where kindergartners are released from classes.

Several school board members consider the project a major safety issue, and said they are working with legal representation to voice objections to the plan.

“There's some things worth fighting for and this is one of them,” said Dayle Ferguson, school board president.

Superintendent Wesley Shipley said initial pictures of the plan were not clear about the proposed access road's placement, adding that it wasn't until further inspection that school officials realized how close it would be to district structures.

He said the district has brought its concerns to PennDOT, but so far talks have not appeared to be productive.

Ferguson said the road's necessity stems from the Route 228 project, but indicated that its impact would be felt in multiple ways. In addition to its proximity to the Primary Center, the road would effectively eliminate access to MHY Family Services property next to the school.

Ferguson said MHY raised valid complaints that needed to be addressed. She hopes an alternative plan can be reached that all parties agree to.

The plan currently calls for the access road to end in the MHY property. However, Shipley and board members worry the proposed road could eventually be extended to Three Degree Road and become a major throughway, thus allowing motorists to bypass Route 228 and increasing traffic and potential risk to students.

“We have to think long-term,” Shipley said.

Others compared the proposed road to how Dutilh Road in Cranberry Township is frequently used to bypass Route 19. Shipley pointed out that if the proposed road is built, the district will need to work with PennDOT to install numerous safety features. She add that some of these features may not be compatible with township ordinances.

“It's going to need signage, it's going to need a fence, it's going to need speed bumps,” Shipley said.

Others on the board recommended that district residents contact area representatives to express their concern about the plans.

Ferguson said PennDOT will hold a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. May 30 at the Adams Township Municipal Building on Valencia Road. She encouraged residents to go.