Latrobe eyes signs to help keep brewery traffic on course

Latrobe city officials are working with City Brewing to curb off-course truck traffic headed to and from the company’s Latrobe plant.

It’s unclear how that traffic could be affected by the recent announced loss of Iron City Beer production at the plant.

Latrobe Public Works Director Scott Wajdic told city council this week City Brewing has agreed to invest $6,000 in new signs that would help direct trucks servicing the plant that fronts along Ligonier Street, between Oak Street and Loyalhanna Creek, in the city’s 1st Ward.

Jefferson Street, which parallels Ligonier, is the preferred route for trucks arriving at the plant, but city officials note some rigs have headed off course — resulting in traffic troubles, mostly in the 1st Ward.

Some truck drivers “don’t know what to do,” city Manager Michael Gray said. “They turn down the wrong way. Then they’re stuck.

“I’ve observed trucks going the wrong way on one-way streets.”

Wajdic and Gray said they’re hoping the new signs, with directional arrows, will alleviate some of the problems with truck traffic, but they acknowledged the signs will make a difference only if drivers pay attention to them.

Wajdic said he believes too many drivers rely on GPS devices, which might steer them wrong.

“We know the trucks need to get to the plant,” Gray said. “The good thing is the brewery is willing to work with us. We’re going to work on all avenues and try to see what we can do.”

Pittsburgh Brewing Co. revealed last week it is planning to take over production of its Iron City Beer and related beverage brands from the City Brewing plant in Latrobe, moving the operation next year to a facility to be built at a shuttered glass plant in East Deer.

Wisconsin-based City Brewing has been producing Iron City beer since 2009, when Pittsburgh Brewing Co. closed its brewery in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood after 148 years. Duquesne Beer also is made at the Latrobe brewery.

Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford expressed hope the facility will be able to offset the pending production loss with other business opportunities.

“I’m hopeful that they can make that up and it won’t have a serious impact on their business,” Wolford said. “I think they’re very diversified so I’m optimistic that they’ll fill that slot. They have been a wonderful partner in the city.”

Messages seeking comment from City Brewing officials at the Latrobe plant and at the company’s Wisconsin headquarters weren’t immediately returned.