BEACH LAKE, PA — The April 19 meeting of the Berlin Township Board of Supervisors began the last chapter in a story that started last September with the arrival of a letter announcing state grants earmarked for rebuilding low-volume roads located near pristine streams, a category into which numerous Berlin township roads fall.

According to the Penn State University Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies (www.dirtandgravel.psu.edu/pa-program-resources/low-volume-roads), Pennsylvania Transportation Bill Act 89 of 2013 increased funding for the dirt and gravel roads program from $5 million to $35 million, with $8 million designated specifically for use on low-volume roads with soil and water conservation challenges. Per that legislation, a low-volume road is defined as one serving fewer than 500 vehicles per day.

With no dearth of disintegrating roads from which to choose, township officials worked closely with the Wayne County Soil Conservation District to select Cortese Road, Reining Road and Kratz Road as potential beneficiaries of dirt and gravel (D&G) grant monies. Supervisor Cathy Hunt spent days mapping the three projects and calculating culvert installation expenses.

Hunt submitted the grant application, requesting $67,800 for Cortese Road, $30,225 for Reining Road and $93,400 for Kratz Road. Said Hunt, “I estimated on the high side.”

A December 2 letter congratulated the township on its successful application. Hunt got exactly what she had asked for. Berlin received the full dollar amounts requested for each road project.

At the March 15 meeting of the board, Hunt made a motion to advertise for contractor bids on the three road rebuilding projects. It was seconded by Charlie Gries. All voted in favor.

Berlin entered into an agreement with Wayne County Soil Conservation on March 21, and placed an advertisement for contractors on March 25. In addition to placing the advertisement, Hunt sent letters to a number of local contractors who had either previously worked on township road projects or had expressed an interest in doing so.

After reviewing work specifications and making site visits to the roads on April 7, interested contractors submitted sealed bids to the township.

The bids were opened at the April 19 board meeting. With the lowest combined bid, $110,619, Bill Pykus Excavating was awarded all three projects.

Work will consist of laying a six-inch driving surface aggregate, as well as ditching and sealing designated sections of the three roads. It is expected to begin in late spring and, per contract, must be completed by September 1.