Photo from PennDOT This is the most recent drawing of a roundabout slated for construction this summer at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Market St. Warren City Council petitioned the state to stop the project and PennDOT officials say a response to the city is expected this week.

A letter from the Warren City Council to the secretary of PennDOT has not stopped final design work from proceeding on the proposed roundabout for the intersection of Market St. and Pennsylvania Ave.

The letter was sent earlier this month and called on PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian to halt work on the project.

“PennDOT received the letter from the city and is finalizing our response to their inquiry,” Jill Harry, PennDOT Press Officer, said.

Harry said the agency’s response is expected to be sent to the city this week.

The letter asked for a meeting with PennDOT “to attend to any details associated with this request before any potential financial ramifications are incurred by the City.”

“While a former Council previously authorized the roundabout in prior votes, our electorate has voted for candidates concerned about this proposal in the two election cycles since the initiative was approved,” the letter states.

“During the 2021 Municipal Election, this issue was the most discussed concern among voters within our municipality. Given this reality, we believe it is our obligation to represent the views of our constituents on this issue which impacts their lives, often on a daily basis.”

The council claims the roundabout will have a “compounding negative impact on our local industries” and cause a “potential/probable relocation of businesses whose properties currently adjoin the intersection to locations outside of the City limits.”

They also assert that the roundabout will create an “obstacle” to the Walkable warren idea and re-emphasized many of the arguments that have been made in opposition to the project since its inception.

“Considering these concerns, the City of Warren humbly requests that all planning, design, discussion, and construction of the roundabout project at Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street cease, effective immediately,” the letter states.

PennDOT did not comply with that request.

“At this time, work on the final design plan has not stopped as a result of the letter,” Harry said.