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Township warned a failing culvert in Newry Borough could close road and sever key Catfish Road access
Summary
Officials told the Blair Township Board on Oct. 28 that Newry Borough plans to close East Allegheny Street/Shamrock Lane at a failing box culvert; engineers said closure would force emergency response reroutes of roughly six miles and affect school bus and road services.
Blair Township officials were notified that Newry Borough plans to close East Allegheny Street/Shamrock Lane at the Catfish Road terminus because of a failing box culvert, and the closure could significantly affect Blair Township travel and emergency services.
Chairman Paul Amigh reported the notification and added that Newry informed the Township because the closure would have a broader impact. Road Foreman John Reed confirmed Newry had contacted him to establish whether the culvert belonged to Blair Township; it does not. Eric Banks, the engineer representing Stiffler McGraw, said Newry’s engineer indicated historical records that suggest the road may have been a PennDOT turn-back road, but Newry Borough lacks funds to repair the culvert.
Board members noted the operational impacts if Catfish Road is closed: emergency services would need to reroute around the closure by about six miles, and school bus routes and road maintenance operations would be affected. Chairman Amigh recommended notifying state representatives and seeking their assistance; Supervisors and the engineer agreed but no formal action was taken at the meeting.
What happens next: the Board plans to notify State representatives and monitor Newry Borough’s plans; no formal vote or repair schedule was recorded in the meeting minutes.
