Laurels & lances: Opening early, taking too long
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Laurel: To exceeding expectations. Remember last week when we gave a lance to the crash on the Tarentum Bridge? The one that happened right there in the middle of the construction project that was already complicating everyone’s commuting? It was going to delay reopening of the bridge amid the $3.24 million rehabilitation project even longer?
Yeah? Well, it didn’t.
Despite projections that equipment damaged in the crash was going to keep the New Kensington- to-Tarentum traffic finding alternate routes beyond the June 27 reopening date, contractor J.F. Shea Construction was able to pull out a miracle and not just get the job done on time, but actually a little early. Traffic was flowing again just after noon on Sunday, a half-day ahead of the original schedule. It was also well ahead of the 6 a.m. Monday reopening scheduled after the June 19 crash.
Traffic on the eastbound lane had already reopened June 13. Construction will continue through the fall, with more lane closures possible periodically. If that happens, let’s remember the extra effort that went into this reopening.
Lance: To unnecessary delays. Eighteen Westmoreland County municipalities had to be pushed to apply for almost $2.5 million total in pandemic relief funds this week.
The money was available for the communities under the American Rescue Plan and needed to be requested through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Sixteen boroughs — Adamsburg, Arona, Avonmore, Delmont, Export, Hunker, Irwin, Madison, New Alexandria, New Florence, North Belle Vernon, Penn, Seward, Sutersville, West Leechburg and Youngstown — and Salem and St. Clair townships didn’t do so as of June 28, prompting a nudge from county Commissioner Doug Chew.
Do all of these municipalities really have no needs for things like better broadband or upgraded sewage or water projects? Are all of them so well situated that they can afford to leave money on the table rather than putting it to work for their residents?
The thing about federal or state funding is that if you don’t use it, you lose it. You don’t save the government money by not using your share. It will just be redistributed to another program or project. When that happens, another area or another agency benefits, instead of having it help the people it was intended to boost.