May 28, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

Hopwood Village Project committee members learned Thursday the streetscape project has received the proper clearances from the state Department of Transportation and is now under way. The streetscape project, being worked on by Maccabee Industrial Inc. of Belle Vernon and McMillen Engineering of Uniontown, includes the demolition and removal of existing sidewalks and pathways in Hopwood to be replaced with more than 3,000 square feet of stamped concrete sidewalks of varying widths.

Plans also call for an upgrade of curbs and gutters, as well as the installation of benches, landscaped flowerbeds and flowerpots.

South Union Township Supervisor Thomas Frankhouser, who also serves as treasurer of the Hopwood Village Project, said PennDOT stopped the project twice since the April 12 groundbreaking because state inspectors found materials being used were unacceptable, according to federal guidelines.

Frankhouser said materials the contractor used to construct the sidewalk, specifically the size of stone used as the base and in the concrete mix, was not acceptable to PennDOT.

According to Frankhouser, the $1 million project must meet federal guidelines because it’s being paid for with a federal grant from the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Holidaysburg. PennDOT is administering the grant.

However, Frankhouser said there was confusion because there are no federal guidelines in regard to stamped concrete.

To solve the problem, McMillen Engineering had to apply for a variance that would allow the contractor to use a certain size stone. Frankhouser said the project was stopped twice as PennDOT had to approve both variances.

About 125 feet of sidewalk constructed before the variances were granted will have to be removed and the concrete poured again. Frankhouser said the work must be done because the grant will not pay for any portion of the sidewalk that is not approved by PennDOT.

In other business, Jim Tobal reported on the National Road Festival events held in Hopwood May 18-19.

Tobal, who is chairman of the activities committee, said the event was a success. Activities included a parade, flea market and fishing derby May 18 and a baseball game May 19.

“A lot of work and a lot of time went into it, and we had the perfect weekend and everything worked out well,” he said. “It gets bigger and bigger each year. We’re making our mark on the National Road. Hopwood really stands out.”

Harry McElroy, chairman of Hopwood Village Project, thanked everyone who volunteered and participated in the National Road Festival activities.

Committee member John Petro also announced the Flag Day program will be held at 6 p.m. June 14 at AMVETS Post 103 in Hopwood. A band performing patriotic music will take the stage at 7 p.m., following the program.

Hopwood Village Project will meet next at 7 p.m. June 28 in the South Union Township administration building.