Eastman Chemical project halted by Forward Township contractor's sudden closure

The sudden shutdown of Merit Contracting Inc. in Forward halted a project across the Monongahela River before it could be completed.

“Eastman's Jefferson Hills site was informed over the weekend that Merit Contracting would no longer be working on a project at our site to install a truck loading station,” Kristin Parker, a corporate spokeswoman for Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport, Tenn., said in a Tuesday email.

Eastman operates a chemical resins plant just outside West Elizabeth and down the Mon from Merit's offices along Route 136.

“We will be looking for a new contracting firm to finish the work,” Parker said.

Merit employees were told late last week that the 27-year-old company was shutting down, but no reason was given.

Employees said they were told to turn in company-owned trucks and equipment on Monday. Company officials have not been available for comment.

Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.