The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

September 14, 2012

Bridges repair costs rise, but not county’s to pay

By Sandy Scarmack Herald Staff Writer

MERCER COUNTY — At first glance, what seemed to be an increase of nearly $684,000 in expenses for engineering costs to repair and replace three county bridges had County Commissioner John Lechner wondering if it was because of historical and endangered species studies required by the state.

The increases, according to Mark Miller, the county’s bridge engineer, are not increases at all, but rather represent a move from the first phase of study to a final design phase. And none of the money comes from county coffers, but a combination of federal and state sources.

Miller explained to commissioners that the money is already allocated by the Department of Transportation and the wording on the reimbursement agreements changes as work moves through the various phases.

Preliminary engineering costs started at $281,000 and increased to $429,120 on the Mill Road bridge in Perry Township; from $231,400 to $470,000 on the Ohl Street bridge in Greenville; and from $261,000 to $558,400 on the Kelly Road bridge in Sharpsville.

Miller said the Kelly Road bridge will likely be the first to move into the final design phase in January. The other two bridges are still involved in feasibility studies.

A group of Greenville residents approached commissioners last month, asking how to speed along the repair or replacement of the Ohl Street bridge. The bridge has been closed for nearly three years after it was deemed unsafe. A Pittsburgh engineering firm is continuing to work with state transportation officials to decide if it should be replaced with a newer model or designated as historic and restored.

Jim Carroll, spokesman for the district PennDOT office, said in July that once HDR Inc. engineers finish a feasibility study it will be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission for members to consider the historical significance. He said it was “unusual” that the process has taken as long as it has and that PennDOT was “waiting patiently” for the final report to be submitted.

That report is still not finished, Carroll said Thursday, and nothing has been forwarded to the PHMC.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved a resolution creating a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone in part of the Greenville-Reynolds Development Corp. to allow Greenville Metals to receive a property-tax abatement for 10 years on a $13 million construction project.

• Acknowledged a grant of $101,483 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The annual grant pays for half of the salaries of the county’s emergency management director, assistant director and one administrative assistant. This year’s grant was $5,914 more due to increased health care and retirement program costs, said County Fiscal Administrator John Logan.

• Agreed to pay $2,291,081 in monthly expenses from August 21 through September 10.

 

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