Connellsville council asks PennDOT to not obstruct view of Yough River
CONNELLSVILLE – City council will request that PennDOT not obstruct the view of the Youghiogheny River as it designs plans for the rehabilitation of the Route 119 Memorial Bridge next year, according to the agenda for tonight’s meeting. The project is slated to get under way next year with the deck surface to be removed and replaced and bridge abutments and piers to be upgraded during the two-year project.
The city request, according to the agenda, is that a pedestrian railing be mounted on the outside of the bridge deck to provide additional room for safe passage of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and that the “scenic Youghiogheny River be visible for passing motorists and pedestrians with no barriers that would obstruct the view.”
In February, state, county and local officials, along with bike trail enthusiasts, met with PennDOT officials to request a path for cyclists be included in the bridgework.
The state-owned and maintained 805-foot, steel-plate bridge was constructed in 1952 and daily carries about 23,000 vehicles over the Youghiogheny River.
Pedestrian walkways also provide a path for others. However, there is no designated bike path.
Following the February meeting, PennDOT district executive superintendent Joseph Szczur, said that the bike path would be included in the project, and speculated that a combined walkway/bike path would be six feet in width on each side of the bridge.
“They will be as wide as we can make them,” he said. “It depends on the kind of barrier that we place between the (vehicular) travel lane and the sidewalk.
“We want positive protection; not only across the bridge, but also the shoulder area between the Memorial Bridge and the 6th Street bridge.”
The reconstruction project will also include the 6th Street bridge.
The estimate $8-$10 million road and bridge project is to be place out for bid in early 2009 and construction is to begin within 60 days of a signed contract.
The bridge surface was recently repaved as part of a Route 119 road project from Connellsville through Connellsville Township and a portion of Bullskin Township.
In other action listed in the agenda, Mayor Judy Reed will make an appointment to the Shade Tree Commission and the Connellsville Recreation Board, but failed to include the names of the proposed appointees.
Last month when Reed was asked why council did not produce an agenda for the public to review in advance of the meeting, she responded that she did not favor allowing advance public access to the agenda because in some cases if the information is distributed, it deters volunteers from accepting positions on city boards and authorities.
“Someone will give their name and it gets in the newspaper,” she said.
“It’s sometimes derogatory when it’s said that they are replacing this person like there is something wrong with the person.”
In other action, council will likely conduct the following business:
Close certain streets for the Elks Lodge July 26 block party; Aug. 30 Timber Days parade and Aug. 16 Wills Road block party.
Accept the resignation of Nick Tzan from the Connellsville Recreation Board.
Waive fees for the Wal-Mart softball team to use Woodruff Park on July 18 and Sept. 20 for a tournament.