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Commissioners approve bridge, park projects

3 min read
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Preparations continue for the eventual replacement of the McDowell Lane Bridge over Canonsburg Lake, which connects North Strabane and Peters townships near Donaldsons Crossroads.

On Thursday, the Washington County commissioners approved an additional $31,523 requested by SAI Consulting Engineers for extra work required by PennDOT, bringing the revised contract total to $634,505, 20 percent of which will be paid through the county liquid fuels allotment. State taxpayers will cover the remainder.

“We have to work around the fish and the eagles,” said Vince Ley, county project engineer, at an agenda-setting session Wednesday.

When Commissioner Harlan Shober asked about the schedule, Ley said bids will be sought in late summer or early fall, and the causeway work and bridge replacement is expected to last two years.

Not only does the bridge span Canonsburg Lake, a 76-acre body of water, but construction of its replacement includes both townships, the state Department of Transportation, the state Fish and Boat Commission, and because bald eagles nest there, the Federal Highway Administration.

Replacement of the 75-year-old bridge is needed and is expected to cost $3.5 million.

A causeway will have to be enlarged because the county plans to double the width of the bridge to accommodate pedestrians on one side.

The new spans to and from the causeway will be 24 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the original, which has long carried traffic to Little Lake Theatre and, more recently, lakeside diners to the Mad Mex restaurant.

The proposed detour onto McClelland Road will be 4.5 miles.

For other bridge projects, the commissioners approved a contract not to exceed $60,500 with Stahl Sheaffer Engineering LLC for the design and permitting of the Brown Bridge superstructure replacement over Cross Creek, and a contract not to exceed $119,200 for the same task to A&A Consultants Inc. regarding the Deems Bridge over Pike Run.

The Deems Bridge project is the more expensive of the two rural bridges because the foundation is also being replaced, Ley said.

Act 13 Impact Fee restricted funds will cover both costs.

The county Planning Department also won approval to seek bids for the restoration of the Henry House in Mingo Creek Park so it can be used for programs and special events.

The work to be performed includes repointing of the stone exterior, roof replacement, interior renovation, insulation and electrical upgrades. Boards covering windows and doors will be removed and made functional. Work on the stairs and deck will be done by county carpenters. Costs are to be paid with Mingo park natural gas lease funds.

The commissioners also awarded an $88,400 contract to Jeff Pleta of Washington to reconstruct a donated log home in Mingo park, also to be paid for through the park’s natural gas lease.

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