COVID-19 could lead to proliferation of potholes

The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is already having an unlikely effect in Crawford County as ripples from the social distancing called for in response begin to affect the fight against potholes.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that all construction projects have been suspended indefinitely. In Crawford County, paving work on Route 27 in Troy and Randolph townships, various state roads in the city of Meadville and the replacement of the Route 6 bridge in Cambridge Springs have been temporarily halted and the construction sites secured, according to PennDOT.

While PennDOT’s projects are on hold, the Meadville hopes to move forward with at least a portion of its extensive paving program, according to City Manager Andy Walker.

PennDOT informed city officials on Tuesday that municipalities can proceed with their paving projects, though Walker indicated that plans could change given the developing nature of the situation.

Earlier this month, city officials outlined a plan to pave 9.2 miles of city streets this year. More than one-third of that paving was scheduled to be performed by PennDOT and is now on hold.

Plans remain intact for another 2.9 miles of paving to be paid for with Federal-aid Highway Program funds, including portions of Diamond Park, North Main Street and South Main Street stretching from North Street to Linden Street. The rehabilitation of the Porter Street footbridge, a project that is being managed by PennDOT, is also still anticipated, according to Walker. City Council has already approved contracts for both projects.

“We are inclined to attempt to proceed with these projects,” Walker said in an email to the Tribune. “To that end, (Public Works Director Nathan Zieziula) or PennDOT will reach out to the respective contractors, Lindy Paving and Chivers Construction, and the inspection firm, QES, to determine their willingness and ability to proceed.”

Paving of 1.8 miles of streets to be paid for with funds from the city’s capital budget is also moving forward, according to Walker. The project has not yet been advertised.

Plans for paving of 1.25 miles of alleys and lesser-trafficked streets is on hold because it will be supported by federal Community Development Block Grant funds that are administered by Crawford County. On Tuesday, Walker said, the Crawford County Planning Office notified city officials that CDBG projects that had not already been advertised or awarded would be suspended indefinitely.

“I'm inclined to encourage the County to proceed with bidding (and) contracting,” Walker said, “as these processes take a number of weeks, if not months. That said, this portion of our program could be delayed.”

The PennDOT suspension will bring a halt to paving planned for several state roads in the city: Route 27 from North Street to the city line; Liberty Street from North Street to Poplar Street; Poplar Street from Liberty Street to Williamson Road; Williamson Road from Poplar Street to the city line; and Spring Street from Baldwin Street to the city line.

Mike Crowley can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at mcrowley@meadvilletribune.com.