BY STACI WILSON

PennDOT is just as frustrated with the condition of the roads in Susquehanna County as the public, local organizations, business owners and elected officials.

Representatives from the state agency came to the table Friday, July 10 to discuss concerns over road conditions, ongoing projects, work specifications and drainage concerns.

County Commissioner Alan Hall noted the peeling deck on a recently completed bridge on SR 1033 in Hallstead.

PennDOT District Executive George Roberts said that situation had already been identified and would be repaired and sealed.

The concrete blend used, PennDOT reps explained, cures at a slower rate and salt penetrated the top layer popping it up.

Roberts said PennDOT was looking into making changes to the bridge specifications regarding the pour dates. “Structurally, the bridge is fine,” he said.

Susquehanna County Conservation District Manager Jim Garner expressed drainage concerns at a site on SR 167.

Garner said a new pipe was installed but the sides of the stream banks were left unstable, cut into a v-shape and the pipe would be clogged with the dirt and debris.

Robert Thorne, Susquehanna-Wyoming County Maintenance Manager, said PennDOT had noticed that and correcting it with rock and seed.

Garner said, “Ditches are being dug twice. That doesn’t help you; that doesn’t help me; and that doesn’t help the environment.”

Roberts said the contractor would clean the pipe. “Out intention is to have that stabilized before we’re out of an area.”

Garner said that by regulation, the sites should be stabilized within four days. Members of the public and townships have to comply in that timeframe, he said. “I shouldn’t have to figure out who to deal with. It’s a PennDOT right-of-way; it’s a PennDOT problem.”

Hall also mentioned concerns about the drainage on SR 706 from Montrose to New Milford. Hall said that there are no ditches and the water is coming onto the road, creating damage in the warm months and hazardous conditions in the winter months.

Susquehanna County Coroner Anthony Conarton also spoke about drainage issues on the interstate earlier this year.

Conarton said that on Feb. 16 a woman was killed near the Gibson exit on I-81, a holiday weekend. He said state police had asked that sign boards be placed to warn motorists of the snow and ice conditions.

Conarton also said PennDOT did not immediately respond to the interstate following a fatal crash in mid-March due to icing conditions. Conarton said the first call was placed about road conditions just after 5 a.m. and at nearly 8 a.m., PennDOT had not yet responded.

“I’m very upset the ball was dropped,” Conarton said. Police, as well as volunteer emergency service personnel were on the scene. “Volunteers could’ve gotten killed.”

Conarton asked why the drainage problem had not been addressed.

Thorne said that trees had grown up into a ravine designed to catch the water. Those trees would be cleared, he said, adding he had also met with state police following the incidents.

Jessup Twp. supervisor Dennis Bunnel said there is drainage problems on all of the roads. “There is more water on 706 than in the stream along side of it.”

He noted a problem with the way the roads are bermed as one of the reasons for the drainage problems. “You’re not allowing the grader operator to do his job and make adjustments,” Bunnell said.

Route 706 west of Montrose was recently paved. Bunnell said some of the brand new shoulders were already washing out.

Hall spoke about a stretch of SR 11 paved a few years ago that was already opening up with cracks. “It costs more money later on,” he said. “I understand we’re all on a budget but we’re not getting the years out of the work because there’s not enough money to do it right to begin with.”

“The roads in Susquehanna County are different than in the southern part of the state,” Hall said, looking to the Central Office in Harrisburg to infuse more funding to the northern tier.

Roberts said, “Our past sins are catching up with us. Now we make sure the base is repaired before the overlay. The downside is we’re not getting the mileage. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

Montrose business owner Craig Reimel said his business has taken a hit during construction of the Rt. 706 project.

“June is historically our best month of the year,” he said. “It didn’t come up to our worst winter month this year.”

He said people are out of patience. “It’s killing Montrose; businesses are in danger.”

PennDOT reps said the project is set to wrap up in the next 6-8 weeks.

Roberts said that for the past 12 years funding had changed significantly and PennDOT was working to maintain its assets.

He said federal funding had dropped with more federal dollars going to more populated areas and away from rural places.

“Act 89 is the only reason our doors are still open,” Roberts said. The state transportation bill that went into effect last year bolstered the PennDOT budget.

Roberts explained the PennDOT District 4 budget, highlighting Susquehanna County costs.