LAUREL RUN, Pa. — Rich Yurkin has lived on Laurel Run Road for more than 30 years.
Even though dozens of crashes have taken place on this road since 2019, he says he's one of the lucky ones.
"I'm safe. I'm right here. I'm on a straightaway; I'm safe," he said. "But the poor people, that guy up on the corner there, have to worry about where they're watching TV when the trucks are coming down."
Recently, signs and flashing lights have been added to Laurel Run Road to keep trucks from going down its 'giants despair' portion.
Instead, guiding trucks onto Pine Run Road to get to the valley.
"People don't realize they're turning all that traffic down Pine Run Road. You go down Pine Run Road and try to get out. It's suicidal," said Yurkin.
All of these measures are being put in place as this bridge that goes over the Turnpike is being replaced. Once this bridge is back in action, there's going to be a lot more traffic on Laurel Run Road, and the folks that live along this road are not sure those signs are going to do the job.
"It's a waste of money. It's my opinion they could have used it for better things. I mean, it was a good, good idea, but in the wrong spot. It should have been out at the end; stop them even before they get this far," explained Yurkin.
State lawmakers who announced the improvements say these measures were put in place with safety and efficiency in mind.
But Drivers and residents argue that trucks should be steered away from Laurel Run Road as soon as they get off nearby highways.
"The Turnpike, that's where they should be stopped. Make them go straight through to the DuPont exit. Take 115 or 81 back down just once they get past 115, Laurel Run Road, or if they're on the turnpike and they get off, they have no place to go," added Yurkin.
PennDOT says one more measure is yet to be added, soon hanging height restriction chimes will be added here as well.
Action 16 Investigative Reporter Joe Kohut examined a review of state Department of Transportation and state police data on crashes on Giants Despair between 2019 and September. To learn more, click here.