Fox Chapel officials announce roads to be repaved this summer

Eight Fox Chapel roads are expected to be rebuilt this year as part of the borough’s paving program.

Council unanimously voted April 17 to award a near $1.428 million contract to Bakerstown-based Shields Asphalt Paving.

Borough Manager Gary Koehler said Shields Asphalt was the lowest of three bidders, and the company has done work in Fox Chapel before.

“They have done well in the past,” Koehler said.

The award was part of a bulk bid in conjunction with O’Hara Township and the Fox Chapel Water Authority.

Council’s approval does not include paying for township or authority paving work.

Authority Manager Justin Jump said the three entities joined to get better pricing.

The authority’s contract is $56,69 to patch up road damage done due to water main breaks.

Jump said he expects the contract will be approved April 25.

A message to O’Hara officials was not immediately returned.

Fox Chapel roads to be repaired include:

• Autumn Path Lane, from Silent Run Road to the cul-de-sac;

• Foxwood Drive, from Highland Road to the cul-de-sac;

• Riding Meadow Road, from Hemlock Hollow Road to Fox Chapel Road;

• Riding Trail entrance, from Hunt Road to the trail loop;

• The loop at Riding Trail;

• Sweet Water Court, from Sweet Water Lane to the cul-de-sac;

• Sweet Water Lane, from Fairview Road to the cul-de-sac;

• Willow Farms Lane, from Dorseyville Road to Willow Farms Court;

• Windmere Drive, from Powers Run Road to the cul-de-sac;

• Hillcrest Road, from Fox Chapel Road to the end.

Other repair work in the contract includes $51,000 for utility pavement repairs that will be reimbursed to the borough upon completion by respective utility companies, and $7,178 for bituminous restoration at the public works operation center.

It was unclear when paving would begin or be completed.

The borough budgeted $1.1 million for paving this year, with the remainder of the costs covered by reserve funds.

Koehler, borough engineer Kevin Brett and the public works staff examine roads on the paving list each spring for any sustained winter damage.

“A little softer winter doesn’t hurt, either,” Council President Andrew Bennett said about the paving plan.

Last year, the borough a$1.369 million contract to Wampum-based Youngblood Paving to repair 10 roads.

In other business

• Council tabled action on renaming a portion of Woodland Farms Road to Woodland Farms Court so police Chief Michael Stevens could have more time to work with impacted residents on solutions for dispatching first responders.

Several residents along the roadway stated at previous meetings they did not want the name change and were concerned about emergency responders getting sent to wrong locations.

• Council approved Stephen Lackey and Susan Skowron to three-year terms as president and vice president of the Community Library Association board, respectively.