ADAMS TWP — Township, county and PennDOT officials are getting closer to a deal that would turn Three Degree Road back to the township, though supervisors said the deal may still be years from completion.

Adams Supervisor Ron Shemela updated the board at Monday's meeting saying officials have been meeting monthly to negotiate the terms of the turnback, with much of the focus on the estimated cost of repairing the road and bringing it up to code.

If the road is turned over to the township, the state would supply Adams Township with the funds agreed upon to repair it. Township officials will then use the funds to bid the project and begin work.

Shemela said current estimates vary from $3 million to $5 million, and any deal is likely to be years from completion.

He said the 4-mile stretch of road is badly in need of repair.

In the meantime, he said PennDOT has returned the road to its maintenance schedule and will begin leveling work and filling ruts later this summer.

Shemela said he was encouraged by state and local officials' commitment to meeting regularly and working together to see the turnback deal accomplished.

“The encouraging thing to me is people working together,” Shemela said. “PennDOT has been attending monthly meetings.”