PennDOT Sect. Mike Carroll visited Minersville Thursday afternoon to tout a new department program that will allow off-road vehicles to travel some state routes.
Last week, the first state route to allow ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides was approved in Tioga County on Route 49.
Carroll, who was joined by most of Schuylkill County’s delegation in the state Capitol, as well as delegates from federal and local government, also heard and saw first-hand the success Minersville has had with allowing off-road vehicles on borough streets.
Representatives from Famous Reading Outdoors also attended Thursday’s event, which concluded with an off-road tour that wound its way along FRO lands ending up at a point which local riders have dubbed the African Incline, according to a post on this site’s Facebook page.
Under the new PennDOT program, municipalities can apply to PennDOT to designate portions of state roads as ATV-friendly. The roads must be lightly-traveled, typically two-lane roads (think, roads with four digits) and connect already-established off-road trails.
“We’re certainly not going to say yes to every road in the state but provided that the engineering is right and the speeds are right, and the sight distances are right, PennDOT will be approving additional state roads for side-by-side use,” Carroll said. “We have an open mind when it comes to that.”
One exception, it was announced on Thursday, will be a portion of Route 61 when a new traffic signal goes live at Darkwater Rd. ATVs will be allowed to cross there when construction is completed. The crossing will connect two popular trailheads here in Schuylkill County.
Minersville Said “Hell Yes”
The reason PennDOT is suddenly willing to allow such vehicles on state routes is to promote the booming off-road tourism industry in Pennsylvania. It’s an industry that’s certainly doing well in Schuylkill County.
FRO officials say they have 15,000 members that use their trails.
And in Schuylkill County, one municipality that has definitely embraced the off-road enthusiast is Minersville.
Carroll heard and saw first-hand the success Minersville has had since it became the first municipality to allow off-road vehicles to travel on select borough streets.
The move was spearheaded by Mayor Sean Palmer. Under the plan which was adopted two years ago following a trial period, the borough requires special permits that allow ATVs, UTVs, and SXS on select borough streets.
The revenue generated from the program is designated for upgrades and repairs to Minersville recreation areas, like parks and playgrounds.
To date, Palmer tells The Canary, the program has generated more than $30,000 in revenue.
State Sen. Dave Argall touted Minersville’s ambition in becoming a leader in Schuylkill County off-road recreation.
“Most were skittish,” Argall told Carroll. “Minersville said hell yes.”
One reason many municipalities have been hesitant to allow off-road vehicles on their streets is safety and enforcement. Palmer and Minersville Police Chief Jeff Bowers say that those concerns have never come to fruition in the borough.
Conversely, Minersville has seen a positive impact on the business community there since allowing off-road vehicles in the borough.
Some businesses have embraced the riders and are benefitting from off-road tourism. Palmer referenced Little Brown Barrel, a pub and restaurant, as one place riders seek out when they’re in the area.
He said another business is set to open soon that will focus on selling after-market parts and accessories to off-road enthusiasts.
“It’s had an impact. Obviously, we want to grow that,” Palmer said, noting that he’d like to see lodging options open up in the near future for off-road tourists.
FEATURED PHOTO: Officials look over coal lands designated as off-road trails. Their off-road trip wound to a point local riders refer to as African Incline. (Coal Region Canary photo)
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