Bridge coming down

Bridge coming down
SHARON, Pa. -- The 65-year-old Oakland Avenue Viaduct, which spans the Shenango Valley Freeway and Pine Hollow, will be closed shortly after 7 a.m. Monday as crews prepare to demolish it.
Carmen Paliotta Contracting of South Park, Pa., will be paid $3.56 million to tear it down and put up a new one.
Mercer County owns the 314-foot-long bridge, but the cost of razing and replacing it will be covered with federal and state funds.
The job will be completed in November.
County and city officials have said that traffic will be maintained on the Shenango Valley Freeway below the bridge except for short periods during the demolition of the old bridge and steel erection for the new one.
Lane law crackdown
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police say they are going to crack down on a state law that requires people to stay out of the passing lane on limited access highways.
In Lawrence County, police say they will focus on state routes 60 and 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
According to the law, a motorist may drive up to two miles in the left lane if preparing to make a left turn or if directed there by a police officer or someone with authority to divert traffic. Otherwise, drivers could face fines and costs as high as $94 for remaining in the left lane. The law took effect in December 1999.
Park plans topic
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Plans for Welker Park, including updated playground equipment, pavilions and areas for games and recreation will be discussed at 7 p.m. Monday in the administration building. A hearing on a zoning variance for a drive-through window at a future restaurant is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the administration building.
Want to negotiate
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners say they don't want to go into binding arbitration with union workers in nine county departments. Instead, they want to continue negotiating with the 60 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 85.
"We're willing to negotiate at any time," Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said. However, union representative Ed Scurry said he proposed five negotiation dates before an April 6 deadline for union workers to take a strike vote and was told the county could meet only once: April 5.
The sticking point in negotiations has been salaries. The county is offering a $750 raise for most employees and the workers say they want a $1,000 raise.
Interstate connection
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ohio Department of Transportation will conduct meetings from 5 to 7 p.m. April 5 at Hubbard High School and from 5 to 7 p.m. April 12 at the McGuffey Center to discuss the proposed connection of U.S. Route 62 at Albert Street with Interstate 80 in Hubbard Township. The public is encouraged to attend either discussion to obtain information and give input on the project. Representatives from ODOT and the preliminary development consultant will be on hand to answer questions.