Belle Vernon getting ready for major road repaving project
BELLE VERNON – Help is on the way for Belle Vernon’s crumbling infrastructure.
Mayor Gerald Jackson said the borough is gearing up for a comprehensive road paving project this summer – the first major overhaul of Belle Vernon’s roads in more than 20 years.
“Depending on what we’re able to get from financing, we will repave as many roads as possible,” said Jackson during council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday. “We saved close to $100,000 from the road tax we collected two years ago. That will enable us to meet the 10 percent that’s required as a down payment for financing.”
According to Jackson, the road repaving project will cost about $1.2 million.
Jackson asked residents to be patient until the project is started.
“The roads take a beating with the ever-changing weather,” he said. “Our road crew is doing its best to patch up the pot holes. Fortunately, we are getting closer to spring and repaving season. We will be asking for bids for the road project later in April. Also, we will continue to keep our residents informed about the status of the section of Route 906 that’s been closed because of a landslide.”
Jackson said that it is important to upgrade Belle Vernon’s infrastructure as the borough moves forward with its development plan.
“Belle Vernon is emerging as a major tourist destination and we want to improve our throughways,” he said. “We are bringing in a lot of people for our canoe and kayak race as well as our fishing derby, bike run and farmer’s market. In addition, we are partnering with California University of Pennsylvania to bring a cutting-edge river center to Belle Vernon.”
He said the station will be at the site of the former water treatment plant, and will be used for aquatic studies of the Monongahela River.
“It will be one of the first of its kind in the state. We want to make sure our roads are in top-notch shape as we welcome many more visitors to Belle Vernon,” Jackson said.