Dec 21, 2018 2 min read

BELLE VERNON – Only a few loose ends are waiting to be tied up to complete a stormwater separation project at Blind Lane in the borough.

At council’s meeting this week, Mayor Gerald Jackson said a connection linking North Belle Vernon and Belle Vernon’s stormwater pipes has been tied in. However, Jackson said Belle Vernon needs assurance from North Belle Vernon that its stormwater and sanitary lines are fully separated.

“We learned from our engineer that some areas of North Belle Vernon’s system still require separation,” said Jackson. “As a result, we are afraid to shut off our diversionary chamber because some of North Belle Vernon’s sewage could be coming through our stormwater line. Only stormwater should be going into the river.”

Jackson added that paving will take place this coming spring to repair several streets and a parking lot that were torn up during construction.

The project was necessary because North Belle Vernon’s sewer line originally did not align with Belle Vernon’s line, causing stormwater to escape between the gap and flood some houses in the vicinity of Blind Lane.

In other business,

• Jackson told council members that Route 906 continues to be closed between Belle Vernon and Fayette City. He noted that the fault line has moved upward, but because of the winter weather, remedial action won’t be taken until spring. “At this point we don’t know how stable that hillside is,” said Jackson. “People don’t think this is dangerous, but three huge boulders and a tree stump have fallen onto Route 906. For everyone’s safety, stay away from this area.”
• Council members authorized borough engineer Nate Hayes to begin plans for a paving and drainage project. Once Hayes completes the plan, the borough will begin advertising for bids for a comprehensive project that will include street paving and work on drainage culverts. Jackson said the borough already put aside some money for the project when millage was increased two years ago. The project is projected to cost about $1.2 million and it will start this spring.