Culvert work to begin on Jackson Run
WAYNESBURG – Work is expected to begin next week to replace a culvert on Jackson Run in Waynesburg, a project that will require new single-lane restrictions on High Street from the railroad underpass west to Sycamore Street.
Mike Simms, Waynesburg Borough manager, told council Monday a contractor for Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority began work Monday to move a water line in the construction area. The line relocation is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
Allison Park Contractor Inc., the company awarded the contract to replace the culvert on the south side of High Street, is then tentatively scheduled to begin work Jan. 19, Simms said.
Initially, from Jan. 19 through Jan. 22, traffic will be restricted to one lane during daylight hours on High Street in the three-block area from the railroad underpass, where traffic is now a single lane, to Sycamore Street.
Beginning Jan. 23, the single-lane restrictions will be in effect around the clock until the project is completed, Simms said.
The project involves replacing the culverts on both sides of High Street, which the borough is completing with state grant money. It also will entail replacing the bridge that carries High Street over Jackson Run, work that will be done by the state Department of Transportation.
The borough has received about $1.7 million in grants for the project, which will cover the costs of completing the culvert replacement on the south side of High. Greene County and the borough are seeking additional funding for the north side culvert replacement.
PennDOT is expected to replace the bridge this summer.
Inadequate flow in the existing culvert has led in the past to flooding on High Street near Woodland Avenue at times of heavy rain.
In other business, council agreed to open Wood Alley from High Street to Strawberry Alley at the request of Waynesburg attorney David Pollock, who is planning to renovate a vacant building on Strawberry Alley into apartments.
Pollock said he is now looking into renovating the brick building, which is referred to as the old Blair Hotel warehouse, into 10 single-bedroom apartments.
The alley is now open from High Street to an area behind the building, an area Pollock said he intends to use for parking. Opening it to Strawberry Alley would allow the building’s tenants to exit onto Strawberry Alley, which is much safer than exiting onto High Street, he said.
Council agreed to open the alley provided Pollock proceed with the project and construct the remaining portion of the alley to borough specifications. The alley would then be accepted and maintained by the borough.
Pollock said the building was inspected by a structural engineer who determined it is sound. He said he is currently awaiting cost estimates on the project.
Council approved the use of the borough’s 2014 Community Development Block Grant to replace sidewalks on the north side of Lincoln Street. The $83,000 and money left over from CDBG allocations from previous years will give the borough about $240,000 for the project.
The sidewalks on the south side of the street had been completed earlier with a state grant and previous CDBG allocations. CDBG money can only be used for projects that benefit low and moderate income residents.
Police Chief Rob Toth reported borough police had a record number of arrests last year and this year the department hoped to focus on traffic enforcement involving heavy trucks.
One patrolman is scheduled to begin classes to receive certification on truck inspections in May. Toth said he also is working to obtain scales for weighing trucks. Too many problems have been reported involving trucks in the borough, he said.
Council also announced it is looking for a borough resident who would like to serve on the borough zoning hearing board. The board has a vacancy as a result of the resignation of Jeannette Perry.