The October closing of Leesport’s Wall Street Bridge caused many commuting inconveniences. When news spread that the construction project was extended six months beyond the original competition date of December 2018, borough officials and residents were outraged and wanted answers.
On April 18, borough officials held their council meeting at the Leesport Fire Company where nearly 100 area residents gathered to hear and comment on bridge project.
Also in attendance were State Sen. Judy Schwank, State Rep. Barry Jozwiak, officials from neighboring municipalities, Pennsylvania DOT, and the bridge contractor J.D. Eckman.
Council President Martin Goetz said that this meeting was needed because of different rumors and he wanted an opportunity for everyone to hear the facts.
“We [council] were never notified about this extension.” Goetz said. “Community folks are asking us what’s happening, we want answers.”
The ultimate blame rested with Met-Ed and its failure to relocate electric lines and poles in accordance with the contractor schedule. Tom Kinsman, project manager for J.D. Eckman, explained that Med-Ed went back and forth between doing the work in-house and contracting out for it.
“During the time this work was to be done, they [Met-Ed] sent crews from here to hurricane affected areas in other parts of the country,” he said.
Kinsman added that because of the disaster response, Berks crews were short-handed.
“We were delayed by forces beyond our control,” Kinsman said.
Though invited, Met-Ed did not send a representative to the meeting.
PennDOT District Executive Mike Rebert said that final coordination of the electric service move set the project back 87 calendar days.
“In order to get back on track, it would cost $479,000 in overtime,” Rebert said. “We don’t have that extra to pay.”
According to PennDOT associate Al Peka, there’s no mechanism in place to hold public utility companies accountable for a delay.
“PennDOT has no authority over public utilities. It just doesn’t exist, not yet anyhow,” he said.
“We knew we were going to run into issues by cutting the town in half,” Rebert said. “The [walking] bridge we put in for emergency services is not something we typically do and we tried to work with the municipality the best we could.”
Rebert added that PennDOT will be working with Centre Township to provide them with material to patch Schuylkilll Hill Road.
“PennDOT will pay for the material, Centre Township will put it in place,” he said.
In other business, council unanimously approved final plans for Dunkin’ Donuts to be built at Route 61 and Cherry Street.
Borough Engineer Jason Newhard informed council that he will receive bids for the Main Street water main replacement project until May 15. If everything is in order, council should be able to award the contract at its next council meeting.
Northern Berks Regional Police Chief Brian Horner informed the group that an individual who had been breaking into vehicles in the borough had been apprehended.
Councilman Ronald Strause provided an update on the replacement of stop signs throughout town.
Strause also stated that street sweeping will occur on Thursday, May 3 for the odd numbered side of the street and Friday, May 4 for the even numbered side of the street.
Councilman Charles Berger and Councilman David J. Reimer Sr. were appointed to the Leesport Water Authority.
Council President Goetz informed council that the Schuylkill Valley Community Library is looking for $17,000 in donations to resurface its driveway. Goetz said that he didn’t feel it would be right to donate more than what’s already budgeted since there are roads in the borough that need work.
