Bids to be taken for sewer project

staff report

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Union Township Supervisors said Thursday they plan to advertise bids within 30 days for a Burns Street storm sewer project.

Community Development Block Grand funds will be used for the project and Grant Administrator Linda Farris said after the meeting that if the township receives $33,000 in expected federal stimulus funds, the project could be completed this winter. The project qualifies for the CDBG and stimulus funds because it is in a low-to-moderate income area.

Installation of storm sewers on the street which has always had open ditches is good news for residents in the neighborhood, which is located behind the Westgate Plaza. The ditches regularly overflow and have caused flooding and ice problems on Scotland Lane. In addition, the area has numerous children and the streets are narrow and the berms eroded because of the open ditches, Farris said.

Farris said the project is expected to cost $60,000 to $70,000. The sewer would extend from Lower Idlewild to Scotland Lane and also take in the first five houses on the west side of Scotland Lane.

The project was approved two years ago by supervisors as the second phase of an effort which has already installed sewers on Grandview Avenue and Atkinson Street, also with CDBG funds.

Also Thursday, supervisors announced trick-or-treat will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 to coincide with the city of New Castle.