Collier officials indicated Tuesday that they were willing to change the name of Station Street to avoid confusion with another Station Street one mile away in Carnegie.

Two houses in the neighboring communities have identical house numbers, street names and the 15106 Carnegie ZIP code.

The duplication has created problems in Carnegie, where Ron and Sue Ankrom have suffered through years of unexplained deliveries, incorrect and missing mail, bill collectors, attempts at cable and phone shutoffs, visits from Pittsburgh law enforcement officials and a misdirected 911 call.

Mr. Ankrom, who said his street was named in 1919, was pleased to hear the news yesterday, but knows it might take time until the situation is straightened out.

"I'm very relieved, but I know it will probably take a while to filter down," he said, noting that things such as maps will have to be changed. He said he worried the most about emergency calls, especially after his family was interrupted from their sleep last month by several paramedics who responded mistakenly to their home for an emergency call that was for the Collier address.

In Carnegie, where officials had sent letters asking Collier to consider changing its street's name, police Chief Jeffrey Harbin said: "I'm glad that this came to a successful resolution. It's been a long and arduous time for the Ankroms."

Collier plans to get state and federal representatives involved to help make the change.

Commissioner Bill Scalise said that now might be the right time to approach the U.S. Postal Service about resolving Collier's other address problems relating to nonconsecutive numbers and street duplications. The large municipality, which is in a growth spurt, would like to have its own ZIP code with the Collier name attached to it.

"Maybe we can get the whole thing fixed," Mr. Scalise said.

Board President Roger Horgan suggested that Carnegie and Collier share the costs involved with the name change.

Manager Jeanne Creese said the township's portion would be minimal. A new street sign would have to be made. People who must change mailing addresses on checks and subscriptions bear the most expense.

But Secretary Roberta Schmitt pointed out that most of the people on Collier's Station Street are transients.

There are five houses on the street, compared with 20 on Carnegie's Station Street.

Officials agreed to consult with Bob Caun, Collier's codes/zoning officer, about a new name. Action on a name change could occur as early as Tuesday's commissioners meeting if all administrative details can be worked out in time.