Seventh Street Bridge delays troublesome
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Coudersport Borough Council is looking to shake up PennDOT over delays in the Seventh Street and Fourth Street bridge projects.

Borough Manager Marlin Moore reported that that Larson Design Group, of Williamsport, has been waiting for more than three months for approval on preliminary plans.

Until PennDOT gives the go-ahead, Larson cannot move on to the next step in the design.

The state has also fallen behind on payments to the borough, and subsequently Larson, but both are more concerned with the lack of approval.

"They're starting to get nervous," Moore said of the designers, who are scheduled to begin the long-awaited bridge project early next year.

The borough will replace the green bridge on Seventh Street. It will be moved to Fourth Street to replace that bridge, which has been closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffi c for years.

Placed on Fourth Street, the green bridge would be made strong enough that it would not have to be posted, but it would only be used for vehicles in emergency situations, Moore said.

Prohibiting traditional traffic from the Fourth Street bridge will please Woodlawn Avenue residents, who do not want both the Seventh and Fourth street bridges open, since that could lead to "cruising" Woodlawn.

Meanwhile, the Specialist Mike Franklin Bridge replacement on East Second Street could be completed as early as the end of August, Moore said. Original plans called for a September completion date, and issues during the demolition had some fearing the project might not be completed until mid-October.

Police Chief Lee Gross said he spoke with the inspector and plans are to open the bridge to vehicle traffic when the school year begins to alleviate the traffic problems.

Next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20.