Adams Twp. wants part of Three Degree back
ADAMS TWP — Supervisors presented plans to “turn back” Three Degree Road from the state Department of Transportation at Monday night's meeting.
Supervisor Chairman Thomas Franceschina said the township has worked with local, county and state officials for five years to reach the plans as they were presented.
According to supervisor Ronald Shemela, the township wants to obtain responsibility from PennDOT for about five miles of Three Degree Road running through Valencia Borough to Union Church Road.
“It has been a 10-month process,” Shemela said. “We had great coordination.”
Shemela said this required “negotiating” with the state.
“It was a matter of trying to get together and whittling well over a $1 million out of the project,” Shemela said. “Getting PennDOT to loosen up a bit.”
Shemela said PennDOT did a “great job” coordinating with the township.
PennDOT estimates the scope of the project to cost the township $4,332,594. PennDOT would reimburse the township for that cost.
Adams Township would be responsible for $251,000 in engineering and inspection costs. Shemela anticipates the project would take about two years.
“Over that time frame, we would invest that,” Shemela said. “It would generate about $95,000 worth of interest to the township.”
The township's net cost of turning back the road is calculated at $156,000, according to documents provided by the township.
The documents also detailed the investment responsibilities of Valencia Borough.
Supervisors expect Valencia to have $514,843 in the scope of work, but receive that much from PennDOT in reimbursements.
“Leaving a net zero cost to Valencia Borough to make this happen,” Shemela said.
Adams and Valencia must collectively agree on the turn-back plans before the project moves forward.
Supervisors anticipate budgeting $78,000 in both 2020 and 2021 specific to the project.
Shemela told the board PennDOT can still reject the project after Franceschina signs the transfer request.
“I don't anticipate that happening,” Shemela said.
The Third Degree Road bridges and railroad would remain the property of PennDOT.
“Looks like a good plan here,” Franceschina said.
“This is an absolute monumental home run for this township,” supervisor Russell Ford said. “And is long, long overdue.”
Supervisors approved Franceschina to sign Resolution 2019-12, the township's request for PennDOT to transfer the road.
There is no concrete time line for the project as PennDOT needs to approve the plans before the township proceeds any further.
