Bridge deadlines get carried over; Hubbard waits

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The deadlines for completing construction of two small bridges have been extended because workers were hitting utility lines.
The length of time it has taken to replace the bridges on East Park Avenue and West Water Street with a total price of $558,950 has angered Mayor Arthur U. Magee.
"It didn't take them this long to build the Brooklyn Bridge," Magee asserted.
John Picuri, an engineer with the Trumbull County engineer's office, said the major holdup stemmed from Nanso Construction Co. of Youngstown's breaking utilities lines.
"We did have a lousy start in the beginning," Picuri said, adding that Nanso is being aggressive to meet the new deadlines.
Construction on both spans began June 4 with East Park bridge originally scheduled to open Aug. 25 but won't be done until Sept. 29.
West Water was supposed to open Sept. 25, but that has been delayed until Oct. 15.
Response
Jerry Nasseri, Nanso president, said it's normal for projects to be delayed because old maps don't accurately reflect where the water and sewer lines are located.
He said bridge design is based on the maps that are provided and those maps are supposed to reflect the location of lines. They are not always accurate.
Nasseri said the bridges are only a month behind. "That really isn't that bad," he said.
The work will progress quickly, Nasseri explained, noting that after the precast concrete support beams are installed, only the decks are needed.
"The mayor has been patient so far," Nasseri noted.
Magee said he had wanted the bridges completed before school opened so bus routes wouldn't have to be changed and pupils at St. Patrick Elementary wouldn't be disturbed because of its proximity to the East Park span.
"We want the bridges finished," the mayor said.
School buses and motorists have worked their way around the closed bridges. Residents are being polite but are starting to ask questions, the mayor said.
"Two main streets closed in this little town is a distraction" Magee said. "We are at the mercy of someone else."
The mayor noted that the utilities have been struck nine times by workers.
"We've had our problems with them," said Pat Camuso, foreman in the water and waste water department.
Camuso asserted that utilities were struck even though city workers dug down and exposed them to bridge construction workers.
The city had Nanso install check valves along the waterlines at each bridge so there would be no more cuts in service.
Forty-inch pipes were installed to protect the water and sanitary sewer lines, Nasseri and Picuri pointed out.
yovich@vindy.com