Freeport's plan to pave portion of Dam Road on hold for now

A public-private road paving proposal in Freeport has hit at least a temporary obstacle.

Freeport Council tabled action on a proposal from Freeport Terminals to pave a section of Dam Road with each picking up 50% of the cost.

The reason council balked at taking action is a 60-foot section of the road that runs under a Norfolk Southern railroad trestle.

It’s part of what council President Clint Warnick described as a 210-foot section to be paved between the intersection where Seventh Street turns into Dam Road, at the intersection with Market Street, and the entrance to Freeport Terminals along the Allegheny River.

Warnick said it’s also the part of Dam Road that is in the worst shape.

He said getting permission from Norfolk Southern to do the paving is a hurdle that has to be cleared. Warnick said the paving can’t be done unless the railroad agrees to it.

“The only concern I have is it does not include the area that goes under the tracks,” Warnick said.

He said it seems pointless to do the paving project if it only affects the road on either side of the trestle.

“Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense to do that unless you can do the worst part,” said Chad Westerman, council’s public works director.

The cost of the project is just under $24,700 with the borough and Freeport Terminals each paying about $12,350.

Warnick moved to table approval of the project until council gets clarification and/or approval from Norfolk Southern officials.