`Arch petition never made it to the PUC`

By Hal Johnson
Herald Writer

So far, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has no reason to stop its order to PennDOT to tear down the landmark stone arch in Jamestown.

David Hart, manager of PUC’s Rail Safety Division, said Friday his office has learned that a committee of residents wants the arch to stay. However, the PUC has not received a formal petition from the group, Hart said.

In a letter to the Jamestown committee, the PUC says PennDOT has been given a year since the final order on Sept. 25 to raze the arch. A formal petition should be sent to the PUC if residents want the commission to reconsider its order, Hart said.

Five years ago on PennDOT’s request, the PUC ordered the narrow arch be razed because it poses a traffic and safety hazard. When the PUC issued its final order in September, a committee was formed to work with PennDOT to find a way to save the 120-year-old arch. The arch was built to carry crude oil and coal from Stoneboro and Franklin by train. The track on top of the arch was removed about a decade ago.

John W. Anderson, co-chairman of the Save The Arch Committee, wrote to the PUC, asking it to delay the order. A delay would give the committee time to put together an alternative that would allow the arch to stay, he said. However, Anderson said he got no response from the PUC.

The committee collected about 100 signatures on a petition distributed at the Jamestown Fair, Anderson said. However, that petition was never sent to the PUC, he said.

Anderson was discouraged that the PUC dismissed his letter as one Jamestown resident’s views. “At least, the PUC should have taken a look at it,” Anderson said.

The committee may consider another petition drive. “If they (PUC) will listen to a petition, we will put one up,” Anderson said.

Hart said he does not know what the PUC will do if it gets a petition.

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Updated January 8, 1999
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