Contractor gets extension for project

The county is not satisfied with another aspect of the bridge project.
MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer County bridge department will give Carmen Paliotta Contracting of Library, Pa., an additional 28 days to finish the replacement of the Oakland Avenue Viaduct in Sharon.
The contract was to be completed Nov. 30, but the contractor asked the county for an additional 35 days, saying that a delay in the shipment of structural steel for the project resulted in the need for a contract extension.
Mark Miller, county bridge engineer, said the county reviewed the request, checked the steel shipping dates and determined that the contractor would be entitled to an additional 28 days.
Notice was sent to Paliotta on Wednesday, he said.
Problem with project: Meanwhile, the county is unsatisfied with an engineering report from Paliotta explaining that a misalignment of the bridge's steel frame won't affect its structural integrity.
The county learned of the misalignment, which would give the 300-foot span a slight "S" shape along the deck, more than a week ago.
Paliotta had an engineering firm examine the structure and prepare a report that said the integrity of the bridge wouldn't be affected.
Miller said the county did a preliminary review of that report this week but sent it back to the contractor with a request for more information.
The new version isn't expected until early next week, he said.
In the meantime, the county has instructed Paliotta not to pour the concrete decking on the bridge until the matter is resolved.
Miller said the contractor won't get any additional time because of that delay because the alignment problem stems from an error in building the concrete pedestals upon which the structural steel rests and that is the contractor's fault.
Paliotta is being paid $3.6 million to replace the 65-year-old bridge.