Monessen eyes viaduct repairs

June 10--Monessen council will seek cost-effective ways to repair minor structural damage to the Reed Avenue viaduct.

SAI Consulting Engineers inspected the bridge last week and recommended repairs to a 2-by-3-foot area under the span where the metal has deteriorated, exposing the concrete above.

Director of Public Works Leonard Billy told council at Monday's work session that loose concrete was removed during the inspection. Billy expressed concern that concrete has fallen and could continue to fall, making it a public safety issue for vehicles and pedestrians on Third Street, which runs under the viaduct.

Billy said he doesn't think the structural stability is a problem, but hopes the city can acquire state or federal money for either a short-term or long-term fix.

After the meeting, Billy called the deterioration situation "a small problem that could turn into a larger one."

Mayor Lou Mavrakis said the city will look into options, but also cited financial problems.

The city is also considering repairs to make the lower section of Ninth Street passable. Council might make the upper section of Ninth Street one way in the wake of residents' safety concerns.

At a May meeting, Billy asked council to consider budgeting approximately $115,000 for a drainage project on lower Ninth Street, to be performed next year when money becomes available.

Billy said the site is experiencing substantial water runoff from Ninth Street Park. The area houses an active, century-old sewer line that runs to Donner Avenue.

Billy said Monday that the water draining down the hill during a recent rainstorm was so heavy, it flowed over catch basins designed to handle such drainage.

Code Enforcement Officer Donald "Buzzy" Byron said he will enforce an ordinance requiring residents to display numerical addresses on houses.

Byron said the ordinance requires house numbers to be least 4 inches in height and visible from the street.

Byron said a large number of residences are not properly labeled, adding it is for the occupants' "own good" to have such street numbers displayed in case of a police, fire, or medical emergencies.

Council on Wednesday will consider hiring Bill Gardner as a part-time police officer.

Police Chief John Mandarino said he faces staffing problems because other part-timers are needed elsewhere.

The department is also missing Officer Aaron Thompson and his partner, K-9 Officer Uri, because Thompson injured his back falling through an attic floor while assisting Donora police in a search.

Mandarino said Gardner, a full-time Charleroi Regional Police officer, will not be able to use his K-9 partner Rex because of insurance and other limitations.

Rick Bruni Jr. is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at [email protected] or 724-684-2635.

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