Hershey, Pennsylvania — At the February 25 Board of Supervisors meeting in Derry Township, Supervisor Rich Zmuda announced an initiative being championed by Pennsylvania State Representative Tom Mehaffie to improve traffic and pedestrian safety along Cocoa Avenue in Hershey.
During the meeting, Madam Chairwoman Natalie Nutt addressed Chief of Police Garth Warner regarding ongoing complaints from township residents made to the supervisors about excessive speeding and traffic. Chief Warner informed Chairwoman Nutt that they have not yet received grant funds for speeding and traffic control devices, but the grants are anticipated to be awarded this spring of 2025. Chief Warner also said the department will have more bodies on the street patrol this year because four new graduates from the police academy will soon complete training and increase traffic enforcement in the township.
Derry Township Traffic Engineer Eric Stump announced that PennDOT has approved $700,000 to improve Hockersville Road between Areba Avenue and Chocolate Avenue. Although this amount was a partial award that was less than requested, the money will fund a modified version of the original project scope.
Supervisor Zmuda reported that traffic concerns on Cocoa Avenue are being addressed in Derry Township. During a transportation meeting also held on Feb 25, Zmuda said Rep. Mehaffie suggested that Derry Township issue a letter to PennDOT to formally address these concerns and request modifications to increase traffic safety and flow on the state road that passes through downtown Hershey adjacent to a public school campus and the Derry Township Parks and Recreation center.
In his report, Zmuda mentioned that there is a small delay on the Derry Township Municipal Authority project at Ridge Road due to some boring issue. Lighting improvements on the 800 block of East Chocolate Avenue were announced, as well as repaving in the area of Governor Road and Cocoa Avenue following underground water service work that was completed in 2024. Zmuda also said the township is seeking to add left turn signals at Governor Road and Cocoa Avenue.
Harrisburg100 
THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD REDIRECT TRAILER TRUCKS TO TAKE HERSHEY PARK DRIVE INSTEAD OF DIRECTLY THROUGH HERSHEY PROPER WHEN GOING FROM LEBANON/PALMYRA TO HARRISBURG. THAT WILL RELIEVE LOADS OF CONGESTION POSED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF TRUCKS GOING THROUGH HERSHEY THAT DO NOT HAVE A STOP IN HERSHEY.
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If you think there is traffic now, wait until Hershey West gets developed.
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