Bridge project complaints begin in Tamaqua
Memorial benches at an intersection in Tamaqua have been damaged during preliminary work for a bridge replacement project. The benches are located at the corner of Spruce and Hunter streets. KATHY KUNKEL/TIMES NEWS
The upcoming bridge replacement project on Route 209/West Broad Street Bridge in Tamaqua is already causing issues and it’s only in the preparation stage.
Tamaqua Borough Council heard complaints Tuesday night from Tammy Sienkiewicz of Safer Streets for Tamaqua’s Little Feet concerning damage to benches at the Spruce and Hunter Street pocket park.
When the project was in the initial planning stages the Safer Streets group asked for permission to remove and store the benches, which serve as a memorial to Tamaqua residents who lost their fight against substance abuse. At that time, says Tamaqua Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, “The contractor assured us there was no need to remove the benches. They wouldn’t be impacted.”
Sienkiewicz said the subcontractor installing the new traffic lights placed the light heads on the benches before installation, scratching and gouging them. “We asked them to be careful and their response wasn’t very polite. There’s also a utility pole they installed just inches from the one bench. How could anyone expect them to do that without damaging the bench?”
Council debated removing the benches now but decided to contact the contractor about making repairs once the project was completed, after John Sienkiewicz noted the area is a bus stop for elementary students. “You would need a jackhammer to remove the metal supports because you just can’t take the wooden slats and leave the posts as they would be a danger to the children.”
Councilman Richie Linkhorst offered to speak to the contractor, J.D. Eckman Inc., to have the issue resolved.
Work on the bridge started April 9, and preliminary operations include surveying, excavation, drainage upgrades and sidewalk/curbing work on outlying intersections along the planned detour route.
The project
Initial work is already underway at the intersections of Railroad and Spruce streets and Spruce Street and Route 309. Motorists can anticipate daytime lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the area until the end of the school year, which is June 5.
Over the summer, the bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured. The car detour will use South Railroad Street, West Spruce Street and South Lehigh Street. The truck detour will use routes 309, 54, 81, and 61. Work will be done seven days a week, 10 or more hours a day, to accommodate the short time frame for the project to be completed.
The roadway is expected to be open again by Aug. 19, before the new school year begins, with daytime lane restrictions again being used until project completion.
During the full road closure, temporary traffic signals will be utilized at the intersection of Spruce and Hunter streets.
Detour details
• Truck detour will be for all trucks over two axles. Normal truck turnaround will be via Old 209 through Newkirk and Reevesdale. Last resort turnaround will be at the high school.
• Hegarty Avenue will be one way west to east, from Nescopec Street to Berwick Street.
• Rowe Street will remain one way east to west.
• Nescopec Street will be two way from Broad Street to Hegarty Avenue.
• Broad Street will be one way east from Nescopec Street to Hunter Street.
• Hunter Street will be one way south from Broad Street to Spruce Street. New traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Spruce and Hunter streets.
• Spruce Street will be one way east from South Railroad Street to Center Street with two lanes. The right lane will be through traffic and right turn. The left lane will be for left turn only.
