County praises West Penn Land Management after bridge rehabilitation work

Lawrence County commissioners on June 10 publicly thanked county maintenance staff and contractor West Penn Land Management for recent rehabilitation work on county-owned bridges, including one near McConnell's Mill State Park and another leading to Kildu Falls on Kennedy Road.

The nut graf: County officials said the contractor cleaned bridge decks, repaired concrete, and repainted metal railings; the work on one bridge used approximately $8,000 in liquid fuels dollars from the Commonwealth.

Commissioner [Chair] noted many residents mistakenly assume the covered bridge at McConnell's Mill is state-owned; the board clarified the structure is county-owned and described recent power washing and interior cleaning performed by West Penn. Maintenance staff present confirmed the company is based in Lawrence County and that the recent rehabilitation work included deck cleaning, concrete repairs to parapets, and repainting of metal railings, described as a “rust” color that fits the site. The commissioner said the Kildu Run bridge “looks like an absolutely brand new bridge.”

Staff said the recent rehabilitation work cost approximately $8,000 and was funded with liquid fuels dollars the county receives from the Commonwealth. Commissioners asked maintenance leaders to pass along their appreciation to the contractor. No contract award or procurement action was taken at the meeting; the remarks were a public acknowledgment of completed maintenance work.