Rt. 706 project hits roadblock

BY STACI WILSON

The proposed Route 706 Betterment Project has hit a roadblock in Montrose Borough.

Although council voted to sign a traffic signal maintenance agreement with PennDOT, motions to sign the necessary drainage and sidewalk agreements died for the lack of a second.

But drainage is an issue in Montrose. Two residents who own residences situated below Grow Ave. spoke to council about drainage issues on their properties.

Bill Bayer said the borough’s drainage project on Post St. had increased water flow into his property. Bayer said two 10-12 inch pipes had been installed to divert water on Post St.

Bayer said, “You guys are creating the problem.” He said the pipes fill in a slight rain and water backs up onto Bank St.

Bayer suggested a couple of fixes, including working with PennDOT’s agility program to find a fix to the water issue and also asked if the street department could help keep the catch basin and culvert near his property cleared.

Jean Ball who lives on the lower side of Grow Ave. said, Do we need improved drainage systems? Yes, definitely.”

Ball said that after the heavy storms in the past week a lot of dirt, debris and stones were washed onto her property.

Ken DiPhillips, head of the borough street department, said the water run-off had exposed a whole pipe in that area.

“We need a drainage system that works,” Ball said. “I’m tired of the mess.”

Bayer said the problems Ball faces continue down to his property.

But the drainage concerns expressed by the residents weren’t enough to sway council to sign the proposed drainage agreement with PennDOT.

Council member Sean Granahan said Bridgewater Twp. has also opted to not sign the drainage agreement needed for the project to begin.

Borough solicitor Marion O’Malley said the agreements sought by PennDOT made the borough take on more responsibility than in the past.

Granahan said, “PennDOT stinks. These agreements stink.”

Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development’s Transporation Director Brian Baker said, “We are on a timetable. I would hate to see Montrose and Bridgewater lose $10 million in investment. I would hate to see this happen.”

Funding for the Route 706 Betterment Project is being handled through NTRPDC.

Baker, who is also a Montrose resident, said the money allocated for the project could go to another county.

“I would hate to see Montrose not get free sidewalks,” Baker said.

Regarding sidewalks and drainage issues slated to be fixed in the project, Baker said, “You’re going to be spending a lot of money to fix this stuff in this town.”

“Our systems in town are only going to get worse,” he said.

Granahan said the borough doesn’t have the tax base to for expenditure he says the town would have to pay to accommodate the system PennDOT wants to install.

“PennDOT doesn’t care if municipalities can afford the upgrades,” Granahan said.

Baker said he thought many of the necessary upgrades were included in the design and the project and said he would find out exactly what the drainage project entails.

“I never heard PennDOT say this would cost you a dime,” Baker said.

But he said, if left undone, it would cost the borough taxpayers down the road to make the repairs.

Baker also addressed traffic concerns in the borough. “If something doesn’t happen, it will be gridlock in this town,” he said.

Baker said the “driver frustration factor” would be kicking in soon.

Granahan said, “Very few people in town want to pave a road.”