The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Friday, Nov. 16, 2001

SHARON

Viaduct out of alignment
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Contractor being blamed asks for 35-day extension; U.S. 62 still unrepaired

By Kristen Garrett
Herald Staff Writer

The Oakland Avenue Viaduct being built in Sharon is out of alignment because of an error by the contractor, Mercer County Bridge Department officials said.

The steel beams for the bridge, which spans U.S. Route 62, also known as Connelly Boulevard in Sharon, are out of alignment by as much as three inches on some parts, said Janet Reeher, administrative secretary for the bridge department.

She said when Carmen Paliotta Construction of South Park, Pa., poured the concrete pads for the feet, they weren't properly aligned.

The steel beams are bowed in places because of the mistake, Ms. Reeher said.

The contractor has an engineer examining the structure to determine if the misalignment will compromise the integrity of the structure or its life-span, Ms. Reeher said. An initial assessment of the bridge indicates that the error will not affect the bridge in the long run, she said.

Until a final determination is made about the integrity of the bridge, no work --including the pouring the concrete deck -- can continue, Ms. Reeher said.

She said the county is hoping to hear something from the contractor in the next couple of days.

The project cost is expected to be $3.6 million, with federal funds paying for 80 percent and the state paying 20 percent.

In addition to problems with the viaduct itself, there is still damage to the road underneath from when the old viaduct was imploded in June, Ms. Reeher said. PennDOT is waiting for the contractor to submit a repair plan, she said.

The contractor has requested a 35-day time extension on the contract, Ms. Reeher said. The completion date in the contract is Nov. 30. So far the county has not granted the extension because officials are waiting for written documentation from the contractor to show that the delay is due to circumstances outside of the contractor's control, Ms. Reeher said. She said they are claiming a delay in the delivery of the steel is one reason the project is behind.

"We're not just going on their (the contractor's) word," she said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com



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