Timber Days cancelled because of construction
CONNELLSVILLE – The sounds of chainsaws and other wood cutting equipment that would typically be heard at Yough Park during the Labor Day weekend will be non-existent this year as the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce has decided not to hold Timber Days. Chamber President Bryan Kisiel said that the ongoing road construction above the park was the contributing factor for the organization’s decision to cancel the yearly event, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 5. “In anticipation of this construction, we have had discussions with representatives from PennDOT regarding the impact of the construction on our use of the Yough Park area and the areas under the (Memorial) bridge that we occupy for Timber Day activities,” said Kisiel. “As a result of these discussions, the chamber board has determined that the safety and operating concerns are significant, and without a suitable alternative site, we have decided to cancel this year’s Timber Day event.”
The construction, added Kisiel, also will impact traffic trying to access the park.
The annual event, which began in 1997 as a two-day celebration of the area’s timber industry, drew dozens of professional lumberjacks from around the world.
The construction project, meanwhile, includes the replacement of the Memorial Bridge deck and the complete replacement of the nearby Sixth Street Bridge.
During the reconstruction, a 6-foot pedestrian/bicyclist lane will be added to accommodate riders utilizing the Yough River Trail through the city and the planned connection with the Coal & coke Trail. Both trails are part of the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Pittsburgh with Washington, D.C.
The Memorial Bridge now accommodates pedestrians via a 5-foot sidewalk. A barrier to protect walkers and riders from the vehicular traffic will allow for the viewing of the river.
The $14.1 million project also includes the removal, repair and re-installation of lights that line the Memorial Bridge. The project is expected to take two years to complete.
Kisiel, meanwhile, said that the bridge project would be beneficial to the city, when completed.
“The end result of this project will be well worth waiting for, especially the safe new bike/walking section of the new span connecting the Yough Trail to downtown Connellsville,” he said. “We will monitor the progress of the construction and hope to be able to bring this popular event back to Connellsville Labor Day Weekend 2010.”