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Sidewalk replacement project causing problems for Dalton business
Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:51
(Source: The Times-Tribune)By Erin L. Nissley, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Nov. 14--DALTON -- When crews replaced Dalton's aging sidewalks last summer, they left business owners Joe and Diane Hughes with a big problem.
The long-awaited project changed the height and angle of the sidewalk as it ran past the Dalton Country Store, which the Hugheses have owned for 14 years. The changes necessitated the replacement of the store's ramp for the disabled, which was done by crews hired by the borough to complete the sidewalk replacement.
But the new ramp does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and if it is not fixed by October, the Hugheses will lose their state license to sell lottery tickets.
"That would really affect our business," Mr. Hughes said Friday. "We only make about a nickle a lottery ticket, but having them brings a lot of people in the store."
Since a contractor did the work, the Hugheses asked the borough to figure out who is responsible for replacing the ramp. Council members said they plan to look into it.
The new ramp is extremely steep, and there is a sharp drop-off between the edge and the sidewalk. Mr. Hughes said elderly customers, including his mother, have to take "baby steps" to avoid falling. The old ramp complied with ADA standards, he said.
Councilman William Salva said officials would contact the contractor and the engineer who worked on the project. "We don't know what the next step will be," he said.
Dalton's sidewalk project began in the neighborhood near Streamside Park eight years ago with a $150,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. Work on downtown sidewalks and streetlights began in July, after the borough obtained a second PennDOT grant for $250,000.
Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com
Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:51
(Source: The Times-Tribune)By Erin L. Nissley, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Nov. 14--DALTON -- When crews replaced Dalton's aging sidewalks last summer, they left business owners Joe and Diane Hughes with a big problem.
The long-awaited project changed the height and angle of the sidewalk as it ran past the Dalton Country Store, which the Hugheses have owned for 14 years. The changes necessitated the replacement of the store's ramp for the disabled, which was done by crews hired by the borough to complete the sidewalk replacement.
But the new ramp does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and if it is not fixed by October, the Hugheses will lose their state license to sell lottery tickets.
"That would really affect our business," Mr. Hughes said Friday. "We only make about a nickle a lottery ticket, but having them brings a lot of people in the store."
Since a contractor did the work, the Hugheses asked the borough to figure out who is responsible for replacing the ramp. Council members said they plan to look into it.
The new ramp is extremely steep, and there is a sharp drop-off between the edge and the sidewalk. Mr. Hughes said elderly customers, including his mother, have to take "baby steps" to avoid falling. The old ramp complied with ADA standards, he said.
Councilman William Salva said officials would contact the contractor and the engineer who worked on the project. "We don't know what the next step will be," he said.
Dalton's sidewalk project began in the neighborhood near Streamside Park eight years ago with a $150,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. Work on downtown sidewalks and streetlights began in July, after the borough obtained a second PennDOT grant for $250,000.
Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com
