Officials Worried about Possible Street Collapse in Kittanning
Borough and Sewage Authority officials talked with PennDOT leaders for about a half-hour Friday morning near the Citizens Bridge in downtown Kittanning - the location where the street could cave in.
by Jonathan Weaver
A large empty space cavity found underneath the intersection of South Water Street and Market Street - the approach ramp for the Citizens Bridge - has caused safety concerns if the area should happen to collapse.
Senate Engineering Project Manager Phil Herman has been part of revitalization efforts Phases 1 and 2 for the past year, and was notified of the issue November 2 after crews were working at the location the previous day.
“It’s a utility crossing – we’re relocating the overhead wires, putting in a conduit for Comcast to relocate the interdict and a conduit for future lighting,” Herman said.
M&B Services, of Clarion, was digging the utility trench and had dug less than four feet deep before the discovery. Sub-surface video was taken and indicated a bad 10-foot long corrugated metal pipe that has been deteriorating, Herman said, but the extent of the void is unknown.
Kittanning Borough First Ward Council Members David Croyle and Betsy Wilt, Sewage Authority members Peter Graff and Mike Swartz and borough maintenance employees met with Senate Engineering, M&B Services and PennDOT officials Friday morning about the potential hazard.
PennDOT District 10 Hauling Permit Manager Frank Mouser led the discussion Friday morning, and explained that even though PennDOT is responsible for the State right-of-way, they are not responsible for underground.
“Anything below ground is the borough’s – the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, whatever. We don’t want a failure caused by this void,” Mouser said. “We know there’s an issue, and we’re looking toward the borough or the sewage authority to come up with some sort of plan.
“We still don’t know how bad it is – but we’re aware of it and we need to do something,” Mouser said. “We’re not trying to strong-arm the Borough, but it could be an issue.”
Croyle recalled PennDOT took responsibility for filling a cavity void in an old mine with concrete during a West Kittanning bridge project, and questioned why this project wasn’t similar. Mouser would not comment on it.
Croyle also did not think there would be any further delays.
“Because of where (the void) is at, I don’t think there will be any delay with the streetscape project. However, this certainly will impact traffic when they close the street to void the current sewage lines,” Croyle said.
Officials brainstormed that the first step would be to core drill the roadway to determine the exact size of the open space below street surface, but it is unknown who will assume that unknown cost.
While Wilt said money was tight (or as Sewage Authority President Peter Graff described it “non-existent,”), Mouser said the issue needs to be addressed.
“But, that’s not an excuse for safety,” Mouser said.
“I’d like this to be a joint effort,” Graff said, urging PennDOT to assist with funding the repair.
M&B Services Operations Manager Jay Bloam was concerned the repair might be “totally out of our scope of what we’re able to do as a company” depending on the equipment ultimately needed.
Herman said ground-penetrating radar could be utilized during the investigation.
“But, that’s not inexpensive. It’s a specialty item of work (and) there’s very few companies that do it,” Herman said. “And I’m not sure how effective it would be.”
The radar is mainly used to identify solid pipes and underground debris rather than voids.
“We believe the reason the hole hasn’t caved in yet is because there’s a concrete section, brick section, asphalt section that’s bridging the area,” Herman added.
Mouser saying officials have been “running in circles” the past few weeks, but wanted to work with all parties to get the appropriate answers.
“Whatever we need to do to work things out, we’re willing to do that,” Mouser said. “Let’s put this to rest.
“Any day you delay could get critical.”
Mouser is expected to consult with upper management this morning before possibly participating in a conference call during a special meeting called for 6PM tonight at the South McKean Street borough building.
A similar void below the surface of the roadway was found along North Water Street and caused the roadway to be closed at the end of last week.
Kittanning Borough Street Supervisor Jim Mechling told Borough officials about the smaller void found on North Water Street during the regular council meeting earlier this month - which also caused some street closures.
Kittanning Borough | jweaver November 16, 2015
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