This is Carmen Paliotta Contracting Inc.'s account of the Oakland Avenue Viaduct's problems, based on a letter from its attorney, D. Matthew Jameson III of the Pittsburgh law firm Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, to Sharon City Council.

According to the letter:

   » What caused the problem -- CPCI contends its contract called for using Class C concrete to solidify the ground beneath the footings and bridge pedestals. However, CPCI claims the county's on-site inspector directed it in August 2001 to fill those areas with stone. CPCI said it questioned the county about this several times.

CPCI says the county contends it never deleted the concrete requirement and that CPCI placed the stone on its own. CPCI says it followed the county's directions because the bearing capacity was the county's responsibility.

In October 2002, survey data showed the pedestals had settled. CPCI believes the bearing capacity of the stone was less than required, resulting in the foundation settling, which might have caused a misalignment of the structural steel.

CPCI says the county responded that there was no settling and told CPCI to repair the structure because the steel misalignment was from defective construction of the pedestals.