Penn Township plans bid opening, estimates 1st payment for stormwater projects

Penn Township will open bids for a project to address flooding in Harrison Park and along Dolly Avenue at the end of the month.

The township previously received a $2.2 million loan from PennVEST — the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority — to complete this project. This loan will primarily cover installation of an improved drainage system and replacement of the culvert at the bottom of Dolly Avenue.

At a board meeting last week, township engineer Dan Schmidt said bids for the construction companies behind the project will be opened June 30. The township plans to close with PennVEST on Sept. 1 and seek approval from the state to follow through with the project.

An additional $275,000 is being contributed by the township for the widening and paving of Dolly Avenue.

After only three weeks of going door to door, Schmidt said the township has acquired approval from 17 residents to enter their property during the widening process. There are seven residents who have yet to respond.

The township has also adjusted its payment estimate for Curry & Kepple Inc., the construction company involved with the ongoing Hyland Road-Chris Drive stormwater mitigation project.

PennVEST granted the township a $1.5 million loan to address flooding on Hyland Road and Chris Drive, which will include replacement of two culverts on Hyland. Construction on the culvert between Country Farm Lane and Sunnyfield Court began May 23.

While installing new pipes at the bottom of Hyland, the construction was interfering with the concrete covering utilities beneath the road. Schmidt said this increased the cost by $2,100. The first payment estimate is more than $140,800.

The township will vote to approve the first payment at Wednesday’s commissioner’s meeting.