Council approves $45,000 restoration for Broadhead sewer trail section

Council voted to authorize the restoration of the Craft and trail segment affected by the Broadhead sewer separation project, approving an engineering estimate not to exceed $45,000 for asphalt restoration under borough paving specifications.

Engineer Larry Keenan updated the council that sewer construction on Broadhead and Park Street is ongoing, with curb and sidewalk work near completion and milling/paving slated to begin at the end of April. Keenan said the project remains on track for an October 2026 completion. He presented an estimated cost for trail restoration prepared from unit bid prices received for the sewer project and asked the council to approve proceeding with asphalt restoration for the trail portion within the project limits.

Council members discussed whether to raise the approval cap to provide wiggle room; some suggested a not-to-exceed amount (e.g., $50,000) to avoid returning for a small overrun, while others preferred to honor the top of the contractor range given at the last meeting. The motion as stated in the meeting was to proceed "with asphalt according to the borough paving specifications at the cost not to exceed $45,000 as estimated by Gateway Engineers." The motion was seconded and approved.

The vote authorizes staff to execute the change order mechanism necessary to fund the trail restoration; Keenan said the $45,000 figure is an estimate based on received unit prices and that staff is still attempting to confirm final contractor pricing.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with the contractor and proceed with restoration work in coordination with the Broadhead sewer contractor and weekly contractor meetings to keep the project schedule.