A decorative streetlight program in Connellsville has run into a snag due to PennDOT changing its regulations on the provider process, and changes in federal guidelines on street work.
The Connellsville Redevelopment Authority has proposed substituting streetscape items, but the state has not yet approved the change.
About five years ago, the city received a $201,000 grant under a state Department of Community and Economic Development Safe Routes to School/Hometown Streets program to install decorative lighting along Pittsburgh Street, from Route 119 to Fairview Avenue.
The lights would be the same style as those on Crawford Avenue, installed by Allegheny Power.
Michael Edwards, executive director of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, said the project cost has increased because PennDOT no longer allows a sole source provider like Allegheny Power to provide and install the lights. Additionally, federal guidelines have changed. If a street is dug, handicap ramps must be installed and workers must go around fire hydrants.
City engineer Glenn Wolfe, with Widmer Engineering, reworked the project under the new state and federal guidelines and determined it would cost $450,000 to install lights along Pittsburgh Street from Fairview Avenue to North Alley.
"But we're not allowed to cut back more than 20 percent," Edwards said.
He said the original grant request had been made based on how the Crawford Avenue light projects had been installed, before the regulation changes.
The $201,000 could provide lighting along Pittsburgh Street from Crawford Avenue to Apple Street. "We're not sure it's the best use of taxpayer money," Edwards said.
"A better use would be streetscaping -- benches, planters and trash cans -- but we haven't heard back from the state," Edwards said.
