MOUNT CARBON - Workers from Reading and Northern Railroad Co., Port Clinton, started work Monday to repair 131 feet of sidewalk curbing along a 300-foot stretch of sidewalk near the Pottsville Pizzeria at the city's southern gateway.
"We received several complaints from residents and pedestrians who use that sidewalk," Mayor Jeffrey J. Dunkel said Monday. "I sent the railroad a letter two months ago and they responded rather quickly."
The crew started work near the railroad bridge at the Mount Carbon Arch Monday morning, setting up wood framing where new concrete will be poured.
One of the workers, Raymond Adams, Potter County, said the work is scheduled to be complete by Wednesday.
Dunkel said he wasn't sure if the railroad was planning to continue repairs to the sidewalk in the future.
"I believe they're going to evaluate the situation in the spring," he said.
Wayne A. Michel, railroad president, could not be reached for comment Monday. At the railroad's Port Clinton offices, the receptionist who answered the phone said "We have no comment." She declined to identify herself.
In a related matter, the City of Pottsville has recently taken action against the railroad in an effort to get it to repair a wall just north of the area where work began Monday.
It's been three years and four months since a railroad wall collapsed at the site. On Oct. 11, the city filed a complaint against the railroad with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
"This particular case has been assigned to a PUC staff member and a field conference with all the parties present will be scheduled within the next couple of weeks," Denise McCracken, PUC deputy press secretary, Harrisburg, said Monday.
On June 18, 2009, the 30-foot section of stone wall collapsed. The wall borders an inactive railroad line used for storage. On May 15, the wall sustained another 30 feet of damage when a car struck the railing, according to city police.
Michel said previously the railroad will not repair the wall until an agreement made with the city and the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority is fulfilled.
In a July 15, 2010, letter to the railroad, city Solicitor Thomas Pellish said the sewer authority has agreed to have a professional engineer inspect the area and recommend appropriate repair.
On Oct. 11, Pellish said talks involving the city, sewer authority officials and the railroad have taken place since that letter was sent, but he wasn't involved since the letter was sent.
