WEST WYOMING — Motorists who use Shoemaker Avenue in the borough have faced a daily bottleneck of traffic for the last several week as crews work to complete a UGI project.
The project, which has brought the borough’s “back road” to one lane from about 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, will bring updated UGI gas equipment to about 22 households on the street. It is slated to be complete by the end of September.
Susan Schneider-Patton, who lives on Shoemaker Avenue, said, although she understands why the project needs to be done, it has added minutes to her commute and has been a bit of a headache.
“I had a terrible time getting out of my driveway, going to work,” she said. “They literally had cones directly behind my driveway. They were helpful trying to get me out, but pretty inconsiderate putting the cones in front of my driveway.”
Schneider-Patton said most of those who live in her neighborhood use that part of the back road.
“Anybody going anywhere uses it,” she said.
Garry Pearson, a member of the Precision Pipeline Solutions team working as subcontractors, said, “We can’t be in a hurry about this,” citing the necessity to work carefully around other utility mains.
Also slowing the work, a PennDOT inspector said, is the need for workers to enter homes to complete the gas connections.
“Yesterday, we finished a house and then no one was home at the two houses next to it; we have to wait,” he said.
In spite of the slowdown the project has meant for residents traveling out of West Wyoming toward Pittston or the west side, both residents and the road crew seem to be doing their best to minimize any inconvenience and maintain an attitude of respect.
“There has been no interruption of gas service,” said Pearson, who is orginally from New York state. “And, I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by the reaction of people in this area. They’re just nice, nicer than people in other areas.”
Dan Skok, owner of the Lighthouse Inn and a borough resident, said the project has not interfered with his business.
“The replacement of the gas line in front of our business has caused very minimal interruption,” he said. “They start after rush hour in the morning and end before rush hour in the afternoon. One lane is always open and the time delay is only a minute or two. “
Skok thinks the project has the added benefit of slowing down speeders on the back road.
“I’m also encouraged to see UGI update the lines,” he said.
According to PennDOT, following completion of the project, crews will repair the affected roadway, sidewalks and properties.
