Funding needed for Bowmanstown roads
Bowmanstown Mayor Zach Snyder addresses State Representative Doyle Heffley and Bill Richards from State Senator John Yudichak’s office. Snyder asked for funding assistance to complete road repairs on Craig Street. DEREK SOLT/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
A view of one of the large potholes on Craig Street. Stone and dirt below the blacktop surface is exposed. DEREK SOLT/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Bowmanstown is looking for funding assistance for Craig Street road repairs.
The borough met last week with 50 residents, mostly from the Meadowcrest section of town; state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon; and Bill Richards from state Sen. John Yudichak’s office, D-Carbon/Luzerne.
“We do not receive the same funding as many of the adjacent communities do, despite paying into the same tax pool,” said Mayor Zachary Snyder. He told the crowd that Bowmanstown is not an “entitlement community” since there are fewer than 1,000 residents, making the borough ineligible for Community Development Block Grants for road improvements.
Snyder told legislators, “We’re fighting for a piece of that tax pie which we’ve already contributed.”
He said the funds are needed to benefit the community, specifically road improvements for Craig Street.
Several residents spoke regarding the poor condition of Craig Street.
David White said, “The road is deplorable.”
White said for 20 years they’ve been asking for repairs to be made, and his property value is dropping because of the condition of the road.
“Nobody wants to come up that road,” White said.
Jereme Neff said the roads are contributing to high vehicle expenses for the residents.
He also said his son fell off a bicycle because he hit a rut in the road, resulting in minor injury.
“You can’t even ride a bicycle in the street,” he told those in attendance.
Daniel Koch also spoke of the condition of Craig Street. Koch said he drives ambulances and firetrucks, and it takes longer to travel on Craig Street.
“When minutes, seconds matter, it’s important,” Koch said. He said the extra time required to respond can cost lives.
Bowmanstown engineer Jessica Rehrig said that a full-deck reconstruction of Craig Street along with stormwater repairs would cost approximately $700,000.
Heffley told the crowd he doesn’t have the final say when it comes to grant money through the state, but he will do what he can to secure funds for the borough.
Heffley said, “As we have in the past, we definitely would support projects like this.”
Richards also voiced support from Yudichak. Richards said he saw the condition of Craig Street.
“It’s for real, and it’s deplorable,” Richards told the audience. Richards said, “A project like this, we’re going to prioritize it from our office.”
