Jan 19, 2016 By Linda Harkcom for The 2 min read

MOUNT PLEASANT TWP. — The closure of a bridge on Harhai Road has brought about a cooperative effort by the two municipalities it joins in an effort to repair it.

The bridge known as Harhai Road Bridge connects Hempfield and Mount Pleasant townships. Mount Pleasant Supervisor Jack Rutkowski, during the board of supervisors monthly meeting, said the small bridge has been closed since the summer.

“Hempfield brought some engineers in to look at it, and they shut it down,” Rutkowski said.

During the meeting, the board adopted Ordinance Number 168 authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Township of Hempfield for the purpose of sharing maintenance responsibilities for the bridge.

“Hempfield is estimating $17,000 of material cost, and we are doing the labor,” said secretary Caprice Mills.

Rutkowski said the township plans to use its own employees to make the repairs to the bridge.

“We are going to tear it down and just replace it,” Rutkowski said.

With reports of possible bad weather headed to the area this weekend, Rutkowski expressed concern for township workers. He said there have been reports of drivers passing snow removal trucks at high rates of speed and tailgating.

“Please slow down a little bit and be careful,” Rutkowski said. “If you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.”

Mills suggested residents stay home if they do not have to go out.

In other business, the board approved paying bills from the general fund totaling $106,701.31, which Mills said included $27,000 in engineering fees for the storm water management project completed on Liberty Street. Mills said although the project, which was completed in 2015, was paid for with Community Development Block Grant money, the engineering fees were not covered by the grant.

The board also authorized West Penn Power to install underground electric facilities along an unnamed alley off of Rosewood Avenue in the Bunker Hill area of the municipality. The utility will be extending electric service to a new single family home on Whitethorne Avenue.

The next recycling date for the township is Feb. 4.