Canonsburg street project to begin
Cedar Avenue in Canonsburg is one of the streets slated to be repaved as the borough spends more than $1 million on road and alley improvements.
This street map of Canonsburg details the proposed $1.1 million street and alley paving project.
CANONSBURG – When Canonsburg was incorporated in 1802, founders undoubtedly did not worry about one-side street parking, back-alley access to houses or modern amenities in the town park.
Two hundred and thirteen years later, these are the concerns of borough officials who worked together to upgrade the home of almost 9,000 residents. The centerpiece of these renovations is a $1.1 million street improvement plan, set to begin in June or July.
“We are very pleased,” said borough manager Bob Kipp.
Over the past several months, the seven-member council compiled a list of priority roads in each of the three wards. Included in the final tally are 33 streets and alleys that will see improvements, including repavement.
“Council has been able to share respectfully and in its entirety, not as three separate wards,” said Mayor Dave Rhome.
Act 13 natural gas drilling impact fees and local share account gambling revenue have made the costly improvements a reality. The borough also has $250,000 in “rainy day” funds to cover any issues that may be revealed during renovation. Meanwhile, plans for Canonsburg Town Park including repaving, a new basketball court and Wi-Fi.
It is Rhome’s hope that alley improvements will encourage residents to use parking in the rear of their homes, an option suggested to those who have been recently restricted by parking on only one side of some streets. Council members implemented limitations on sections of South Jefferson, Giffin, Duquesne and Franklin avenues and Second and Chartiers streets, citing public safety and ease of access for snow plows, delivery trucks and emergency responders.
“It’s actually working,” Kipp said, noting a lack of congestion in those areas and more aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods. With the exception of South Jefferson Avenue and Second Street, the other roads are still under a 90-day trial period.
Specifications are now being put together to put the repaving project up for bid. Kipp said the goal is to finish before asphalt plants shut down because of cold weather.