Railroad, Walnut among streets included in $80K Latrobe paving project

Railroad Street and portions of Walnut and Washington streets are among areas slated to get attention in Latrobe’s annual paving program.

Council on Monday awarded the project to Derry Construction, which submitted a low bid of $80,865.

City Manager Michael Gray said the work is to be completed this year but wasn’t sure when the contractor will be able to fit it into other scheduled work.

“Hopefully, it will be soon,” he said.

Areas slated for fresh pavement include: Railroad Street, bordering the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks between Ligonier and Jefferson streets; Walnut Street, from Lincoln Avenue to the 700 block; Washington Street, between Alexandria Street and Bluff Lane; West Second Avenue at Barbara Road; West First Avenue at Joanne Drive; Caroline Avenue at Joanne Drive; Sylvan Avenue at Main Street.

A PennDOT contractor is continuing work on a $3.4 million project to improve traffic signals and curb ramps at nine downtown intersections.

Gray said crews during the next few weeks will be boring under the streets to prepare for installing conduit. Then they will install foundations for new signal poles before reconstructing sidewalks at the intersections, he said.

Because work on many PennDOT projects was delayed during initial covid-19 restrictions on construction, the intersections likely won’t be finished until next spring, Gray said.

Mayor Rosie Wolford urged motorists and residents to be patient as the work continues. “It will be worth it in the end,” she said.

According to PennDOT, the upgraded signals will allow for better coordination and an improved flow of traffic through town.