Carbon to fix safety issue on pedestrian bridge

A safety issue on the new Mansion House pedestrian bridge in Jim Thorpe is causing the bridge’s final completion date to be pushed back until the end of July.

This delay is not related to the trail connection, which still remains outstanding.

On Thursday, the county commissioners approved a time extension with Latona Trucking of Pittston for an additional 35 days. The completion date for the bridge changes from June 22 to July 27.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said the extension includes the fabrication and placement of steel truss plates at the end of the bridge because there is a gap between the wing wall and the bridge that could pose a fall hazard for small children.

“Other than that, the bridge is finished,” he said.

The bridge will remain closed pending completion of the East side connection project. Jim Thorpe is responsible for securing the funding for that project. It has been tabled for up to 120 days.

In a related matter, the commissioners approved an amendment to the Transportation Alternatives Program grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the construction of the pedestrian bridge. The amendment provides an additional $75,000 in federal funds for costs associated with mitigation required due to the removal of timber cribbing associated with the Lehigh Canal and updates standard agreement. The new contract total is $3,345,394.

Other business

In other matters, the county acted on or discussed the following items:

• Chris Lukasevich asked the commissioners if they were considering his proposal to sign a resolution he submitted to them earlier this month supporting the residents of Penn Forest Township regarding the placement of wind turbines within the township.

The commissioners said they were not.

• Approved the resignations of Noah F. DeMatto of Summit Hill, lifeguard, effective June 25; and Pamela S. Hughes of Summit Hill, part-time community health nurse I, effective June 29 and a date of resignation correction for Eric J. Filer of Coaldale, part-time assistant public defender to effective June 29.

• Approved changes of status for Brendan J. Carroll of Jim Thorpe, from summer laborer in the Liquid Fuels Summer Program to summer laborer and lifeguard, effective June 29; and Jason M. Skrimcovsky of Jim Thorpe, from county caseworker I, Children and Youth to project coordinator, Planning and Development, effective July 16.

• Hired Sarah E. Bonner of Nesquehoning as part-time cleaning person, effective June 29.

• Approved the prison board appointment of Lisa E. Calabrese of Hazle Township, part-time corrections officer, effective July 16.