Project doubles in cost
With the much-anticipated reopening of Cameron Road behind them, South Strabane Township supervisors Tuesday approved a third change order, increasing the final cost of the project to $547,735 – $328,580 more than the original bid.
“I think it’s a bloody tragedy,” said Supervisor Edward Mazur, the only supervisor to vote against accepting the change order.
Supervisors in October voted to award a contract to Redstone Excavating of Brownsville for slide repairs to a section of Cameron, which connects Route 136 and Route 19. Work included construction of a retaining wall and about 200 feet of road resurfacing.
The area closed and detours were posted Dec. 1, with completion estimated at the beginning of the year. The reopening was delayed several times, causing residents and those who frequently use the road frustration.
The retaining wall was moved 30 feet because of unsuitable soil that had to be removed. Appropriate soil was brought in, the retaining wall was constructed and the road repaved, with the reopening April 15.
Township engineer Richard Rush said Tuesday the cost grew because of extensive work that wasn’t anticipated before construction commenced.
Mazur asked why holes weren’t drilled directly on the initial wall location, alerting crews to problems at the site.
Rush said equipment could not reach the site and that holes were drilled as closely as possible, which, he said, is an accepted engineering practice.
“I’ve never seen Cameron Road so nice,” Supervisor Laynee Zipko said.
. “I’m happy with things.”
In other business, Peggy Steggles, parks and recreation council chairwoman, confirmed the cancellation of Community Day, which was scheduled for June 4.
Steggles came before the board March 22, when supervisors voted 3-2 to change the venue from Community Park – the site chosen by the recreation council – to Billy Bell Park.
Supervisor Thomas Moore, who was on the parks and recreation council before taking his seat on the board in January, said the festival could not be held at Community Park because of the lack of kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Steggles said the recreation council chose Community Park to showcase it to residents, a lot of whom don’t even know where it is located. In addition, Billy Bell was already rented for that date by a private party. Steggles explained then that the scale of the festival was to be cut back, both in hours, food and events, eliminating the need for kitchen amenities.
“Some people took it as we didn’t have the right things and we needed space. They failed to ask what we needed,” she said. “Park and recs are trying to … better our community, not to cause problems.”
Steggles said the council is planning a smaller community event for a later date.
In other action, supervisors approved two road bond agreements related to natural gas production.
The first, with EQM Gathering, provides for use of Rankin, Mitchell, Meyers, Garber, Wilson and Floral Hill roads and a portion of Zediker Station Road for construction of two pipeline projects in the township.
The second, with Columbia Midstream, is for construction of a proposed Zediker lateral pipeline. The roads affected by the project are Mitchell and Rankin.
Representatives of both companies said they will coordinate work schedules.
Solicitor Jack Cambest said another public hearing will be scheduled on the pending oil and gas zoning ordinance. He anticipated action will be taken in June.
Citing the pending ordinance, the township’s planning commission on May 5 denied a conditional use application by Range Resources for a proposed natural gas well site at Munce Ridge Road, citing the pending ordinance.
Cambest said officials continue to meet with Range and other energy companies to develop the ordinance.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 24.