Pricedale bridge demolition put off

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

While there is no time frame or even a firm commitment that the Pricedale pedestrian bridge over I-70 will be rehabilitated, there are also no immediate plans to demolish it,

That’s a major step in the right direction, according to Rostraver Township Commissioner John Lorenzo, who said the news from PennDOT wasn’t as positive earlier this year.

“PennDOT originally said it was too low and they wanted to take it down,” Lorenzo said. “They told us — and this was like a slap in the face — that they already had a buyer for it.”

That caused the township to get state and federal officials involved.

“PennDOT asked if the township would be willing to pay half the cost,” Lorenzo said. “We said, ‘That’s a state bridge. You put it in when you put in I-70 and cut Pricedale in half.’”

Lorenzo said there are 30 homes in Pricedale whose residents rely on the bridge to access the Pricedale Post Office to get their mail because there is no home delivery in the area.

“PennDOT tried to strong arm us. It is going to be a costly project, but those people need that bridge,” Lorenzo said.

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