Official: Road project to end in two weeks

ROYERSFORD >> Work on a water pipe replacement project that was supposed to be finished by the end of June has taken much longer than first anticipated. Now one borough official said the end is in sight.

Pennsylvania American Water announced in May the start of construction in the borough to install a new water main to improve service reliability, prevent water outages and enhance fire protection. The project is replacing aging pipe dating back to the 1950s, with an estimated cost of $250,000.

Crews initially planned to install approximately 1,400 feet of 8-inch ductile iron pipe along Oak Street and 7th Avenue. Then the borough tacked on additional work on 6th Avenue as well. The company expected to complete the water

main installation, service tie-ins and final paving restoration by the end of June, weather permitting. However, now officials say work will finish within the next two weeks.

The borough has received complaints over the years regarding the streets in question, including drainage issues and problems with potholes and was looking to address some of those concerns with this project, Borough Manager Michael Leonard said. Work continued into the summer because 7th Avenue needed more drainage. Now the roads just need to be repaved.

“We need to mill and overlay Oak Street, 7th and 6th avenues,” Leonard

said. “Council is trying to make the roads better in the borough and it takes time to get the work done.”

The work is being funded through liquid fuels and community development block grants, he said.

Water main construction has taken place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. During construction hours traffic restrictions have been in place and motorists have been urged to find alternate routes. During construction, customers

might experience temporary water service interruptions, discolored water and/or lower than normal water pressure.

For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.