With PennDOT’s revamping of Route 356 in full swing, Allegheny Township will shift its focus to another key artery.
The township supervisors on Monday night awarded a contract of nearly $297,000 to Derry Construction to repave Shearsburg Road.
The project will be from the Five Points intersection to Weinels Crossroads.
Derry was the lowest among four bidders that ranged from $297,000 to $354,000.
The contract total was $30,000 less than the township had budgeted for the project.
Officials feel that collaborating with New Kensington and Lower Burrell on road projects brought down the price since contractors would have their equipment stationed in the same geographic area during various projects.
Before 1959 when a new Route 56 was built, Shearsburg Road was the main artery connecting Lower Burrell with Vandergrift.
Route 356 update
Regarding the closure of Route 356, officials warned motorists to slow down along White Cloud Road. Police have issued traffic citations, all for motorists traveling at least 48 mph in the 35 mph zone.
When the Route 356 project is finished this fall, Ligonier Construction will help repair the Bonfire Shortcut, where traffic volume has increased because of detours. Even though Bonfire Shortcut is a township road, the state will have Ligonier Construction work there.
“You just can’t detour that much traffic to roads like that without maintenance,” said supervisors Chairman Michael Korns.
Allegheny Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief William Cogley said his department is having no problems getting out to calls with the Route 356 closure.
