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?
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