Relief is on the way for motorists who travel East 10th Avenue in Tarentum, a pothole-riddled road too narrow to strategically avoid some of the larger craters.
The state-owned road, hemmed in by sidewalks and homes, is scheduled for milling and paving in coming months.
In the meantime, temporary patching will be done Saturday, PennDOT Spokesman Steve Cowan said.
“Our project manager just reviewed 10th Avenue this afternoon,” Cowan said. “The contractor will be out conducting pothole repairs.”
Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf said the weeks before spring tend to be especially rough on roadways due to freeze–thaw cycles that can cause potholes to develop quickly.
The borough on Friday posted an advisory for motorists to be alert when driving the stretch from Dunkin to Prospect Cemetery because of the number of potholes that have developed.
“The borough has received several calls from residents and motorists about the potholes and road conditions,” Boddorf said. “We have notified PennDOT of the concerns so they are aware of the situation.”
Cowan said some patching has already taken place. But it appears to have started to break apart following heavy storms that hit Wednesday, which is typical.
Boddorf said PennDOT will address long-term fixes to East 10th Avenue as part of a planned milling and paving project scheduled to take place over the next several months.
In February, PennDOT launched a drainage improvement project through Tarentum, Brackenridge, East Deer and Harrison. The main drag through each of the municipalities will see traffic restrictions during the project.
Plum-based A. Liberoni, Inc. landed the $7.7 million group paving project, according to PennDOT.
Crews are out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays on Freeport Road near Bailies Run in East Deer, along East 10th Avenue in Tarentum and on Freeport Road in Brackenridge and Harrison. Weekend work is possible.
“While the borough cannot perform repairs on the state roadway itself, we have continued to communicate the issue to PennDOT and encourage them to address the most problematic areas as soon as possible until their full project begins,” Boddorf said.
“We have also asked PennDOT to place caution or advisory signage in the area to alert motorists to the conditions until they can complete the project.”
