Work to begin soon to improve Low Grade Road

Everything is in place for work to begin in a month or two to improve Low Grade Road in Cheswick, Springdale Township and Harmar.

Matt Pitsch of Senate Engineering, who oversees engineering for the municipalities, said final paperwork and approvals have been sent to the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments and county for signatures. Pitsch said the project was awarded to A. Folino Construction.

“Depending on the turnaround time on the paperwork, the construction could be scheduled in the next month or two,” he said.

Pitsch said all three municipalities involved have approved the work. The percentage of the road in each municipality is about 50% for Harmar, 35% for Springdale and 15% for Cheswick.

The project received a $250,000 grant from the state Gaming and Economic Development Fund in late November 2019, two months before the pandemic hit. In March, it was reported that construction bids would be sought, and a contract would be awarded by the Allegheny County North Council of Governments.

Construction includes base repairs and drainage upgrades along the roadway. The shoulder of the road will be restored with drainage features added to help remove water from the roadway, and the entire length of the road will have a surface layer coat added.

The road is frequented by truck drivers and residents in the township.

Officials hoped to get work started this past spring, but the pandemic and other work caused a delay.

Harmar Supervisor Bob Exler said there was a delay in construction to get waterline repairs done on the road before it got repaved.

“There are times where people will repave a new road and something will break, and they have to put a patch on,” he said. “We had to do the opposite.”

Exler said the waterline work is complete, and everything should be on schedule.

Cheswick Councilman Frank Meledandri said he is glad the project is imminent. He said the road is a major throughway for traffic. People try to avoid the potholes and have to veer off into anther lane, Meledandri said.

“I am glad it is finally getting done,” he said. “I also understand why it took as long as it did.”