TAMAQUA - Tamaqua Borough Council members are warning of possible traffic chaos as a result of work on the East Broad Street bridge, which is expected to begin in May or June and last up to 18 months.
The construction will create a detour that will cause delays and a general nightmare for many residents who have to navigate through and around the site.
The council approved a number of parking and traffic changes required for the project, which could continue until late 2014.
The most significant traffic change is the complete closing of that block of East Broad Street for the duration of the project.
One of the major parking changes will prohibit parking on both sides of Cedar Street, between Center and Greenwood streets, and on the east side of Greenwood Street.
Councilman Dan Evans read about 10 traffic and parking changes at Tuesday's council meeting.
Other changes include stopping trucks of more than 40 feet in length from traveling on Cedar Street and prohibiting all tractor-trailers from using the detour through town. Tractor-trailers will be required to travel Route 309 north to Hometown and sRoute 54 east to reach Route 209 in Nesquehoning.
Some members of the council aren't happy with the length of the project and the scope of work.
"This project is going to affect every resident and every business during this 18-month window of time," Councilman Ken Smulligan said. "A year and a half is a long, long time and it's not going to go away."
A number of council members said they would like the state Department of Transportation to have the work done in two shifts to complete the project sooner.
"It's going to be a nightmare," said police Sgt. Rick Weaver, who will become chief April 2.
It was suggested that the council's Parking and Traffic Committee contact PennDOT to discuss certain changes council approved and ask about possibly speeding up the time frame of the project. Smulligan said he talked to state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, about the project.
Water rate hike?
A project to upgrade the borough's water infrastructure could result in a $12-per-quarter rate increase, according to Councilman Brian Connely, who also is a member of the water authority board.
Connely told the council the authority is looking to wrap a PENNVEST loan into a 20- or 25-year loan for about $4 million, and will ask the borough to co-sign the loan.
If the council approves the plans, he said residential customers who use up to 6,000 gallons a quarter and now pay an average of $81 per quarter would pay $93 a quarter, or an increase of $48 a year. The increase for commercial customers would be similar.
The rate increase would raise $2.29 million toward paying off the loan.
Connely pointed out that the authority hasn't raised water rates since 2008.