NORTHUMBERLAND – Residents voiced their concerns at Tuesday night’s Northumberland Borough Council meeting. PennDOT officials attended the meeting to discuss the upcoming three-year reconstruction project. Residents raised questions regarding predicted traffic backlogs and the project duration.
T Jay Cunningham, assistant district executive of design, said PennDOT realizes this construction isn’t going to be easy for the borough, “Nobody is implying that this is going to be a nice, simple thing where everyone walks away and is smiling the whole time during this three-year duration. However, Duke Street needs to be reconstructed. PennDOT has done and remains committed to doing the best we can to try and make this as painless as we can for all parties involved, not just one group. We’re doing the best we can.”
A concerned resident told PennDOT the project is bringing more frustrations and costs to Northumberland, “That puts even more pressure and weight on you to find some money to get more help for our cops who are already stretched to the limit in dealing with the issues that this borough deals with everyday let alone this $14 million albatross that you’re dumping on our laps.”
But another local disagreed, saying she was grateful for PennDOT’s work, “I just want to say thanks to PennDOT. Thanks to the guys for all the time that you put into it. None of us are going to be completely happy with it. The reality is we just have to work together as a team. We have to work together as people helping each other. Parking is going to suck and all that other stuff. But I truly think that you all have been trying to help us out and come to the best solution.”
PennDOT officials told the council crews will start work in April. The project contractor will hold a public meeting this spring to discuss construction plans. The $14 million project will be complete in 2019. More information about the construction schedule and detour routes can be found at www.penndot.gov/dukestreet.