Workers have been tearing up the roads and replacing sewer lines in Gallitzin for seven months. Crews said it will not be much longer until the project comes to an end.
Crews started separating the storm water pipes from the sewer line in mid-July.
Originally, they expected it would take them at least until October 2016, weather permitting. They said the weather has been working with them. If winter had been worse, this project could have easily lasted until 2017.
Work on the mainline is complete and they have less than 200 laterals left to install; they started with about 760.
Some residents have expressed frustration over the state of the roads. Crews said they paved as much as they could before the asphalt plants shut down for winter, but some roads are in bad shape with plenty of potholes.
Crews said not to worry; they will begin paving as soon as the asphalt plants re-open in mid-April.
“When this project started, there was actually a concern that we would not be able to complete the project by the anticipated date of October 13th and we are well ahead of schedule,” said job site Superintendent Brandon Duriez. “A lot of that is due to the cooperation of the authority and the engineer did a very good job on this.”
Crews said at the rate they’re working, the project should be done by June. Duriez said he hopes residents continue to bear with them as they complete the project.