Leetsdale to seek bids for boat launch restoration early next year

Quaker Valley area fishermen and boating enthusiasts will have to wait until at least spring to launch into the Ohio River from Leetsdale.

Borough officials said they plan to move forward with a boat launch restoration project next year despite having already secured funding.

The borough was awarded $228,000 in Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund money earlier this year to cover the project cost.

The goal is to seek project bids in January, have the contract awarded in February and get construction started in April, according to borough engineer Dan Slagle.

“It’s all designed,” Slagle said. “If I bid it out today, we would be trying to construct it in the middle of winter. We’re trying to time our bidding process so that it is more conducive to the climate of Pennsylvania. We hope to have it in May for the spring fishing season. We’re excited about it.”

The original concrete slab broke off in the 1990s, causing a safety hazard.

Council plans to replace it with a 20-foot-by-40-foot reinforced concrete ramp with a stone sub-base and erosion protections. A couple rain gardens are also part of the grant-funded project.

Council Vice President Osman Awad was hoping the project would have moved faster.

“I wanted to get it done this year,” he said during an interview Aug. 27. “We have the money. I can see if we don’t have the money (to delay the project). We have to go over the plan and find the right concrete people to do the boat dock.”

The engineer said environmental factors are a big part of the construction schedule.

“This is an extremely difficult project because of the power of the Ohio River,” Slagle said. “Our concern is that we need to make sure that when you put a ramp into the Ohio River — especially during flood stages — you don’t want it to end up in West Virginia.”

More upgrades around the boat launch are being considered. The hope is to build interest in the shoreline.

“I want to remodel the area,” Awad said. “I want to put two bathrooms there and benches and tables for people who want to enjoy themselves and overlook the water. After we finish the boat dock, I want to invite any fishing tournament.”

Those upgrades may be dependent upon grant funding. It is unclear how much the additional improvements would cost.