The presence of state police and digital speed limit signage on Willowbrook Road has slowed down motorists as crews continue to lay pipes for utilities and perform site work for the massive FedEx Ground distribution center in Allen Township.

At its Jan. 12 meeting, Allen Township Board of Supervisors again discussed the importance of speed enforcement in the area. State police continue to issue speeding tickets as a deterrent to motorists traveling through the construction zone, ensuring the safety of the workers on site.

One resident who attended the meeting suggested changing the placement of the digital speed signs, saying they might be too close to the work zone, which makes it more difficult to slow to the proper speed in time.

Another resident added driving at dark could be made safer on Willowbrook Road by having stripes painted on both the shoulder and the center of the roadway.

The board of supervisors earlier approved allowing crews to work at night through March. Supervisors Vice Chairman Dale Hassler said the night shifts are OK during this time period since homes don’t have their windows open. However, when warmer weather arrives in April and May, and residents will hear the construction through open windows, Hassler insisted.

“At that point, it’s got to stop,” he said.

A recent on-site meeting between Allen Township officials and FedEx Ground personnel centered on the importance of permitting night work to keep the progress on schedule and possibly to prevent fill dirt and the ground from freezing at the perimeters where structures will rise.

Township Manager Ilene Eckhart, who was at the Willowbrook Road conference with FedEx representatives, said the company is asking for a two-month time frame involving nighttime work.

Site work is expected to continue for most of 2017.