Residents voice concerns about Susquehanna Avenue project, city officials promise to work with homeowners
Mar. 21—SUNBURY — Sunbury officials and the general contractor of the Susquehanna Avenue Utility and Roadway Reconstruction Project will work with all residents when construction begins near the end of April.
More than 30 residents voiced concerns during Thursday's public meeting on the project at City Hall, on Market Street.
Some of the concerns dealt with parking, mailboxes, package deliveries, and the loss of trees that will occur when the project gets underway next month.
"Taking the trees out is taking the beauty out of Sunbury," resident Jackie Rohrbach said.
The project area will take place between Reagan Street and Packer Street on Susquehanna Avenue and from Front Street to Susquehanna Avenue on Packer Street," according to city officials.
Sunbury received $3.2 million in federal appropriations funding for the Susquehanna Avenue stormwater project, thanks to an assist from U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser.
Meuser, R-9, said he secured funding for Sunbury to renovate the water, sewer, and stormwater systems beneath Susquehanna Avenue.
City Administrator Derrick Backer said the project total cost is roughly just more than $10 million. The $3.2 million pushes the project to about 80 percent funded, he said.
The city currently has just more than $7 million in various grants and allocations from the city and the Sunbury Municipal Authority.
Backer said no tax dollars have been used for the project and the city will continue to apply for more funding.
On Thursday, city streets Supervisor Steve Welker spoke to the crowd and explained the city, contractor and municipal authority are with the residents and are all in the project together.
"There will be times it is hectic and busy," he said. "We are all in this together and we will work with each homeowner as best we can to make this process easier."
Welker explained there will be a spot set up with mail slots for residents, and that if any issues come up he will work with residents.
Welker said the contractor will begin work toward the end of April and that there is a massive push to get the project completed this year so it will not linger into the winter months.
He said he will be at the work site every day and that work will begin around 7 a.m. and end around 5 p.m., depending on the day and weather.
Resident Connie Plonwoski said she was concerned with the removal of the trees and that widening the street will cause more water issues.
Welker explained the new system that will be in place will be able to handle the water and that widening the street will make it easier for vehicles traveling on Susquehanna Avenue.
Welker said once the construction begins, he will suspend the no parking ordinance and that he understands residents will be scrambling for parking. He also said residents can use the former Turkey Hill parking lot on Front Street to park and that no tickets will be issued.
"We all want to work with everyone every step of the way," he said. "We want to make this as easy as possible."
