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May 12, 2008 5:30 pm US/Eastern
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Rte 88 Business Owner Cries Foul Over Construction
Reporting
Jim Lokay
SOUTH HILLS (KDKA) ―
A South Hills business owner is upset that PennDOT took part of his parking lot as part of reconstruction on Route 88.
Route 88 was closed last week for major reconstruction.
The construction continues this week without the closure but the sight of it all has Ron Freeborough seeing red.
"They're not done," said Freeborough. "They're going to build some walls and I'm not sure what it's going to look like. But whatever it is, it's not going to look good."
Since the road reopened, drivers and business owners are finding that Route 88 sits nearly four feet higher than it used to.
Curbs and drainage systems are being replaced and access for deliveries and parking for customers are now a real challenge.
"I believe we might have had ten (parking) spots," said Freeborough. "Now, we probably have 5."
While he sold the rights to part of his property to PennDOT for the project, Freeborough claims the two sides haven't talked.
But after playing phone tag, PennDOT showed up unannounced to explain their side of the story.
"This will be sloped in here. Almost the whole parking lot will be resurfaced and raised to some extent," said PennDOT engineer Ralph Beerbower. "So, you'll have access to these parking spaces just as you have now. This is going to be resolved fairly shortly. The finish crews will come in and take care of the parking lot and get you back in business."
But even though PennDOT says they'll improve access off Route 88 to compensate for what will be a net loss of a single parking space, Freeborough still isn't happy.
"I think you've ruined the property," he said. "I think the property value is jeopardized, and that's the way I see it."
Right now, PennDOT has installed a temporary ramp.
They plan on putting a permanent solution in when the whole Route 88 project is done by the end of the next month.
But in Freeborough's case, he says that might be too late.
He plans on seeing what options he'll pursue in the future.
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