Clayton Dimmick, director of highways, parks and water distribution, said Monday that the state Department of Transportation (DOT) surprised his department with a list of work requirements needed ahead of its project to create left-turn lanes on South Transit Street this summer.
Dimmick told the city’s highways, parks and water distribution committee that the DOT is expecting the city to remove a number of dead trees, take down a utility pole, and repair six manholes this spring.
“I didn’t budget for this this year because I didn’t know about it,” Dimmick said. “It’s going to put us behind. They’re forcing this on us.”
Mayor John Lombardi III told the committee that he is contacting state Assemblyman Paul Bologna about drafting a letter to the DOT concerning the strain the unexpected work is putting on the city. Lombardi could not be reached for additional comment.
The DOT held a public meeting at city hall nearly a year ago and presented a “road diet” plan that will convert two lanes of traffic on South Transit Street in each direction to one, adding a dedicated left turn lane and bike lanes. Dimmick said Monday that the city submitted a number of questions to the DOT last year but did not get a response. Dimmick said he had not learned about the preparations needed from the city until this year.
“It’s going to be a mess,” Lombardi said.
City crews rebuilt a manhole near the intersection of West Avenue and Transit last week at a cost of $4,800, and were working on another on Monday, Dimmick said. An additional four manholes, including their subsurface structures, need to be replaced for the DOT, he said, but the costs were still to be determined.
A utility pole for lights and radar equipment near the High Street intersection must be moved, which Dimmick said the city will need to outsource, with costs not yet known.
Ryan Whalen, spokesperson for DOT’s Region 5 office, could not provide information on Monday on the additional work and costs expected of the city.
Gabby Rogers, chief of staff for Bologna, said the assemblyman was happy to facilitate “an open line of communication” between the city and DOT.
“We know that a number of issues are going to come up and there will be road congestion and concerns from residents,” she said.
In a number of previous city meetings, Dimmick said that the public works department is short-staffed and challenged by sewer collapses and upcoming paving work. Last month, the city received an email from business owner Andrew Nemi detailing a year of sewer backflow problems near Market Street, which also requires attention from the public works department.
When asked by Kevin Kirchberger, alderman at large, who has resumed his role as chairman of the highways, parks and water distribution committee, if he will have the 16 workers required for paving and sinkhole work on Lincoln Avenue, Dimmick said they have staff scheduled for that project.
Kirchberger expressed concerns about a cascade of potential work delays if the city falls short of 16 road crew workers.
“What happens if two guys are on vacation?” Kirchberger asked. He did not receive a response.