MOUNT CARMEL - The borough is scheduled to start a road repair project costing nearly $350,000 that is expected to alleviate damage to 18 sections of neglected streets and alleys.
Eastern Industries, Winfield, will be heading up the effort, which will consist of milling and resurfacing, while Brinkash & Associates Inc., Ashland, will supervise the project.
The estimated $349,836 project, which will be funded through the street improvement tax and liquid fuels, does not yet have a start date, but borough officials want it completed by Nov. 1. A meeting with the companies will take place Thursday afternoon to discuss specifics of the project.
The two most expensive portions are on Market Street, for $73,577.72, and on Spruce Street between Third and Fifth, $43,052.
Councilmen Leroy "Chico" Moser and Robert Shirmer compiled most of the list. Council approved it Thursday night with a few alterations; they also gave borough manager Edward Cuff III final authority to alter the list as needed.
Moser, who said no road improvements have been made since 2007, explained these sections are the ones that need the most attention.
The two worst in Moser's opinion are Orange Alley between Fourth and Sixth streets, which is being fixed for $16,560, and Lemon Alley between Seventh and Eighth streets, which is being fixed for $8,280.
"Orange won't make it another year," Moser said. "And Lemon is caving in the middle."
Another bad one is Apple Alley between Third and Fourth streets, which will be fixed for $7,451.50, council President Tony Matulewicz said.
"It's literally falling apart," he said.
During rainstorms, materials used to fill in potholes has been known to float away, he said.
Matulewicz also said council members wants to fix this small area for Art Catino, who owns 100 feet of frontage on South Oak Street parallel to Apple Alley. The businessman and his wife, Maria, own and operate Catino's Candy and Gift Shop and Catino's Italian Specialities, and have torn down blighted properties to expand their business into Catino Vino, which supplies wine kits to help novice wine enthusiasts create homemade wine.
Catino said the alley is used for deliveries and customers.
"It's in deplorable shape. We're talking potholes on top of potholes. It looks like a giant pothole," he said.
He said he's grateful for the support from the borough, noting it's some of the best news he's heard in awhile.
In reference to Catino's new wine business, Matulewicz said, "We haven't had a new business in the borough in a long time. This is an example of the kind of thing we want to foster."
Following is a list of improvements and assocaited costs. It is subject to change:
- Almond Alley between Third and Fifth streets for $18,214.50.
- Spruce Street between Third and Fifth streets for $43,052.
- Quince Alley between Sixth and Seventh streets for $8,280.
- Plum Alley between Third and Sixth streets for $24,560.
- Peach Alley between Third and Fourth streets for $8,280.
- Buick Alley between Market and Chestnut for $8,280.
- Market Street to the Buick Alley for $73,577.72.
- Lemon Alley between Seventh and Eighth streets for $8,280.
- Lemon Alley between Fourth and Fifth streets for $8,280.
- Orange Alley between Fourth and Sixth streets for $16,560.
- Apple Alley between Third and Fourth streets for $7,451.50.
- Center of Grape Alley between Fourth and Fifth streets for $8,280.
- Gage Alley between Sixth and Seventh streets for $8,280.
- Fourth Street between Birch and Willow streets for $16,560.
- Willow Street between Third and Fifth streets for $41,397.50.
- Avenue between Poplar and Beech streets for $20,697.50
- Cherry Alley between Oak and Maple streets for $9,934.50.
- Second Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets for $19,871.50.