Council hears $650K'750K estimate to replace Mark & Main culvert; staff to seek grants

Public works officials told council the culvert at Mark and Main shows concrete deterioration and crumbling blocks and that the original temporary repair plan is no longer sufficient. Staff said the borough’s original plan must be revised after camera inspection: an overlying block has crumbled, some wall tops are damaged and the temporary solution will now use internal piping and flowable fill to extend life. A full replacement with a precast box culvert costs roughly $400,000 for the structure alone; including removal of the existing culvert and installation, staff estimated a total in the $650,000'750,000 range. Council was told the borough does not have the funds for full replacement and will need to pursue grant funding. Staff said the temporary internal repairs could buy time, and that the project will require PennDOT permitting and additional design work. Why it matters: The culvert serves local stormwater/drainage functions; structural failure would be costly and disruptive, and the price tag exceeds current borough budgets. Next steps: Public works will pursue grants, refine cost estimates and implement temporary repairs to keep the structure functional while funding is sought.