Spotted Lanternfly Presence Confirmed in Allegheny County 

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), an invasive insect which was introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014,and has recently been found in Allegheny County. This pest poses a significant threat to important agricultural commodities including grape, hardwood, fruit trees, landscape and nursery products that contribute billions of dollars annually to PA’s economy. 

But SLF is not just a concern to agricultural and horticultural professionals – it also poses significant quality-of-life frustrations for all residents. The large populations and habits of SLF can force even the most ardent nature lovers to stay inside. When feeding, SLF excrete a sticky waste, coating everything below them. This waste encourages the growth of black-colored sooty mold on plant materials and hard surfaces like decks and furniture. 

To protect the state’s economy and residential quality of life, the PA Department of Agriculture issued an Order of Quarantine and Treatment to stop the movement of SLF to new areas and to slow its spread within the quarantine area. What does that quarantine mean to you and your municipality?

• Residents need to know how to “Spot the pest, Destroy it, and Report it”.  Each household should complete a Compliance Checklist and carry it with them when traveling.
• Businesses and Organizations will be required to obtain a permit to move between quarantined and non-quarantined counties and states
• All landowners are responsible for controlling Spotted Lanternfly on their own property, to the best of their ability. Spotted Lanternfly can be controlled with a combination of physical and chemical means.  Penn State Extension has developed information for property owners which can be found on their SLF website. Use of these management techniques is an important step to control of this invasive pest.
• Whether inside or outside the quarantine, everyone is encouraged to report sightings of SLF, using the online SLF reporting tool or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).
• INFO for residents of Allegheny County: Spotted_Lantern_Fly_Resident_Checklist.pdf

Voting By Mail-In Ballot

On March 27, Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 422, which reschedules Pennsylvania’s primary election from April 28, 2020 to June 2, 2020 due to the COVID-19 emergency. Voters have the option to vote by mail-in ballot rather than going to their polling place on Election Day. Mail-in ballot applications will be accepted through Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

For additional information regarding mail-in ballots please visit - https://www.pa.gov/guides/voting-and-elections/

2020 Road Construction in and around the Borough of Sewickley Heights

PennDOT

• Way Hollow Rd – Roadway Closure

  • Official Detour – Link_to_Detour.pdf

  • The Borough is contracted for winter maintenance and will continue to maintain the roadway to the closure point

• Sewickley Bridge – deck repair and restoration

  • Project Anticipated Start date: week of April 1, 2020

  • Project Anticipated Completion date: November 2, 2020

  • Single-lane nightly closures (8PM to 6AM): work will begin with single lane closures to allow the contractor time to prepare the site for construction during full closure.

  • Minimum of 4 weekend closures: 2 before full closure and 2 following construction completion to install new bridge approaches – Dates TBA

  • 1 Full Closure: approximately 10-14 days to allow around the clock work

    • *Will occur after the 2019-2020 school year, and reopen before 2020-2021 school year

  • Any changes to scheduled closures will be communicated to Emergency Services

  Detour:

  • Detour will utilize routes 65 and 51, with connection via the Neville Island Bridge/I-79.

  • Estimated detour distance is 8 miles; travel time has been estimated at 15 minutes in normal traffic

  • Construction on Neville Island Bridge will be delayed to avoid additional delays for the detour route for the Sewickley Bridge Project

Allegheny County

• Pink House Bridge – currently limited to single lane and 3 Ton limit

  • Engineers are currently surveying and beginning design

  • Bridge to be replaced in 2021 or 2022

• Fern Hollow/Blackburn Intersection

  • Stone wall is crumbling, and existing guiderail is insufficient

  • 700’ of guiderail to be installed through intersection with Blackburn Road  

  • Construction will result in single lane closure

• Culvert KL16 along Blackburn Rd towards Mt. Nebo (past Oak Knoll)

  •  Anticipated for Summer 2020

  • Construction will require full closure for 6 to 8 weeks

  • Detour uses Glenfield Rd and Deer Run.

    • Detour to be posted when project begins

Local Roads

• Backbone/Blackburn – Columbia Gas to install new main line

  • Backbone – Sewickley to Quaker Hollow

  • Blackburn – From Quarry Rd to Thawmont

  • Anticipated start in March 2020

  • 1-year construction period to finish main line and all residential taps

  • Expecting single lane closures, with limited full closures as needed

    • Detours will be posted if a full closure is required

• Hunt Rd – proposed culvert replacement and drainage improvements

  • Anticipated construction in August 2020

  • Will require full closure for approximately 1 month

  • Follow up road surface reconstruction to occur in 2021

For further information please contact Nate Briggs, Director of Public Works 412-741-5119 ext. 5 or nbriggs@sewickleyheightsboro.com