Sep 2, 2010 By Rebekah Sungala 2 min read

South Union Township supervisors expressed displeasure Wednesday that work being done to the bridge on Bailey Avenue was not completed on time. Supervisors Thomas Frankhouser, Rick Vernon and Robert Schiffbauer said the construction project was supposed to be completed before the school year began. Classes resumed Monday.

Schiffbauer said the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) was given the summer to complete the project, and said he is concerned about vehicles and school buses traveling on detour routes this winter when roads can be icy.

Supervisors said the extended completion date for the project has been moved to Nov. 30.

“It’s been a persistent problem,” Schiffbauer said, noting that utility companies have added to the problem by working slowly to relocate wires and poles.

“Everybody points the finger at each other, and, meanwhile, the bridge doesn’t get completed,” Schiffbauer said.

Last month, supervisors said the township was told construction was being put on hold because Verizon failed to relocate wire that needed to be moved.

This month, supervisors said crews were now waiting for Allegheny Power to relocate a pole.

Schiffbauer said he finds it ridiculous that a small project has taken so long to complete, and he said state legislators need to address the problem so that utility companies can’t delay projects.

Schiffbauer said he visited the site Wednesday and that a skeleton crew was their working to install a drain.

“They were doing nothing directly related to the installation of the bridge,” he said, noting that he is doubtful the project will even be completed by the extended deadline.

Frankhouser said the township needs to consider having stricter penalty clauses put in contracts in the future.

“They have no incentive to work quicker,” Frankhouser said.

Supervisors said the matter will be addressed with the state Public Utility Commission.

In other business, Frankhouser said crews have been out painting lines on several township streets.

Supervisors also unanimously voted to transfer 396 square feet of property along Matthew Drive to First Federal Savings & Loan of Greene County.

Frankhouser said the bank lost a tract of land when Matthew Drive was widened and asked for a small piece back so that a stone wall could be constructed at the site.

The next township meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 6 in the municipal building.