Jul 30, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The replacement of water lines along a major city artery has delayed the reconstruction of the roadway. The East Crawford Avenue project was slated to begin in early July, but due to the ongoing replacement of waterlines by Pennsylvania-American Water Company (PAWC) through the construction area, work will not get underway until Aug. 5, according to Valerie Petersen, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“These utility line relocations are necessary since the existing lines are too shallow to allow excavation for the new roadway to proceed,” said Petersen.

Marianne Kelly, communication manager for PAWC, said Monday that crews are working diligently to complete the installations so the road construction could begin.

“Our goal is to move along as quickly as possible,” she said.

The waterline replacement project stretches from the intersection of East Crawford Avenue and Breakneck Road to the intersection of Crawford Avenue and Snyder Street, the same path as the road construction.

Nearly 4,000 feet of waterline is being installed to service customers along Crawford Avenue and several side streets, said Kelly.

“The project is moving along slowly because we’re working in a very confined area and the road is still open to traffic,” she said. “We will, however, be finished soon.”

Petersen, meanwhile, said Donegal Construction Corp. was given its notice to proceed on July 28, but will hold off moving equipment to the site in order for PAWC to finish its work in the Breakneck Road area, the first phase of the road reconstruction project.

The current bituminous surface will be replaced with cement at the intersection. Traffic will be maintained along East Crawford with around-the-clock flagmen directing the flow of vehicles.

After the intersection work is complete, Breakneck Road will be reopened.

The second phase of the project will include the removal of pavement along Crawford Avenue. Vehicular traffic will be rerouted from East Crawford to Breakneck Road onto Falcon Drive and Locust Street before entering onto Snyder Street to East Crawford when traveling west into the city. Those leaving Connellsville will follow the detour in reverse.

The road will be only open to emergency vehicles and those with PennDOT approval to use the throughway.

“We have issued special tags to those residents with medical conditions or those that are unable to access their homes within a half-block or so because of the construction,” said Petersen.

James Lembo, Connellsville Area School District transportation director, could not be reached Monday for comment regarding the impact the project will have on bus routes during the construction period. Students will return to school at the end of August.

The project is to be completed by Nov. 16.