PennDOT says no easement for East Ridge Road cross pipe; borough weighing options

Palmyra Borough staff told council on Tuesday that PennDOT has confirmed it holds no easements for an existing cross pipe on East Ridge Road, complicating stormwater work and leaving the borough with limited options to fix a recurring drainage problem.

"They admit they have no easements for the cross pipe that's existing," the public works superintendent said. Borough staff said PennDOT indicated it would not let the borough abandon the existing pipe in place if the borough moved it, because moving the pipe would require PennDOT to acquire easements and upgrade to current standards.

Staff told council they had discussed multiple options with property owners; those owners do not support granting an easement that would allow the borough to route the pipe south and then west through the East-West Alley to North Lincoln Street. "If they do not [grant easements], I'm sure I know the answer to this but council does have the option to do eminent domain to establish the easement so we can put the pipe underground there," staff said. Council members noted that pursuing eminent domain would be a significant step.

Borough staff also said they had sought assistance from Representative Diamond's office, which suggested that without a civil case or similar escalation, the status quo was likely to continue.

Why it matters: the inability to finalize an easement or to relocate the cross pipe has led to repeated drainage and detention-basin problems in the area and could require legal action or a negotiated easement to resolve.

What happens next: staff will continue discussions with property owners and explore options; council may consider eminent domain only if negotiations fail and after receiving legal guidance.