The intersection of McKnight Road, Johnanna Drive and Browns Lane soon might be altered.

The roads meet at a GetGo convenience store and McDonald's restaurant on McKnight and have different owners: McKnight belongs to the state, Browns to Ross and Johnanna, a private drive, to three parties: Deaktor Development North, owner of the Woodhawk Club Apartments, Ivy Woods Condominiums and EZ Storage.

The cross streets of Browns and Johnanna do not align, forcing motorists who want to drive across the intersection to veer. Also, an old arrow on the right lane off Johnanna that points straight still is visible, giving motorists the impression that they, along with traffic in the lane to their left, can go straight.

The straight arrow was painted over last year with a right-turn arrow, but the more recent paint is wearing off. Drivers in Johnanna's right lane are supposed to turn right onto McKnight; those in the left lane are to go straight or turn left.

“They call McKnight Road ‘McKnightmare Road.' We can name that intersection ‘McKnightmare Intersection,' ” said Jim Petrilla, a Ross resident who drives through that intersection frequently.

Harry Patterson, manager of EZ Storage in Ross, said those responsible for the road are getting bids to remove the straight arrow.

“One proposal is to grind it out and resurface it. When you have three parties involved, nothing moves fast,” he said.

Petrilla said he thinks the right lane from Johnanna should be for drivers who go straight or turn right, and the left lane should be only for those who turn left.

“Every other day, a car goes straight when it's supposed to turn right,” he said.

Patterson said he agrees with Petrilla's idea, but he is not sure who is responsible for the traffic pattern.

“The lane striping has been an issue for the past eight months, since they repaved (Johnanna),” said Detective Brian Kohlhepp, Ross police spokesman. The township owns Browns Lane, he said, but “it's a PennDOT intersection.”

PennDOT spokesman Steve cqCowan said the intersection, including pavement markings and signs, is the municipality's responsibility. About 29,000 vehicles a day drive through the McKnight corridor.

One reportable accident, in which someone was injured or a car had to be towed, occurred at the McKnight/Johnanna intersection between Jan. 1, 2012, and May 12, 2015. In addition, there were 11 fender-benders, Kohlhepp said.

The Johnanna part of the intersection is in Ross' 2nd Ward, which Commissioner Steve Korbel represents. He said he has not received complaints about Johnanna since its owners fixed potholes last year.

As for the entire intersection, he said, “a change could only be made if it was recommended by a traffic study.”

Michael Kahlenberg, an attorney with a North Canton, Ohio, firm that represents Deaktor Development North, declined comment. A representative of Ivy Woods Condominiums could not be reached.

Bill Zlatos is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-772-6353 or bzlatos@tribweb.com.

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