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WILKES-BARRE — Eight contractors attended a mandatory meeting Friday for the reconstruction of portions of the Solomon Creek wall in preparation for the May 4 deadline to bid on project.

The pre-bid conference was moved to City Hall from the site in South Wilkes-Barre due to rain. It lasted approximately 15 minutes.

Representatives from the following companies attended:

• James T. O’Hara Inc., of Covington Township

• American Asphalt Paving Co., of Shavertown

• Don E. Bower Inc., of Berwick

• Leeward Construction Inc., of Honesdale

• Pioneer Construction Co. Inc., of Honesdale

• Chilewski Enterprises, of Fleetville

• AR Popple Inc., of Wilkes-Barre

• Brdaric Excavating Inc., of Luzerne

Joyce Zaykowski, the city’s capital projects program manager and director of the Office of Community Development; Butch Frati, the city’s Director of Operations; and representatives of the project engineer, Borton-Lawson in Plains Township, also attended.

Zaykowski said she was happy with the turnout.

Mayor Tony George made reconstruction of the wall a campaign issue in 2015. It took on a greater sense of urgency when a 40-foot section of the Depression-era structure collapsed into the creek bed in December 2016.

To date, the city has secured $4.6 million in state funds in addition to the $4.5 million it committed to the project from a bond issue. That total is likely to change with a May 3 announcement of yet additional funding.

Zaykowski declined to say what the city estimates the project will cost. “We’re not disclosing our range,” she said.

In preparation for the construction, utility companies — at their own expense — have begun relocating natural gas and water lines. Telephone and electrical lines will be moved later.

A temporary patch has been made on a section of the Solomon Creek wall that collapsed in 2016. Ahead of submitting bids next week on the reconstruction project, contractors Friday attended a pre-bid conference at Wilkes-Barre City Hall.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_TTL041417SolomonCreek3.jpg.optimal.jpgA temporary patch has been made on a section of the Solomon Creek wall that collapsed in 2016. Ahead of submitting bids next week on the reconstruction project, contractors Friday attended a pre-bid conference at Wilkes-Barre City Hall.

By Jerry Lynott

[email protected]

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.