(7/2019) Strawberry Hill receives grant for trail restoration
On June 17, the Rotary Club of Gettysburg's President, Bill Braun, presented Strawberry Hill Foundation's Executive Director, Kara Ferraro, with a $1,500 grant. The grant will partially fund Strawberry Hill's Middle Creek trail restoration and creek access project, for which the organization is actively seeking funding.
The Rotary Club's support will help create safe access to Middle Creek for "Aquatic Communities" and "Watersheds and Wetlands," two cornerstone environmental education programs offered at Strawberry Hill. In addition, the project will benefit a variety of recreational activities - from establishing a self-guided hike with interpretive signage, to enhanced access to trout fishing in the
exceptional value waterway.
Roadwork continues in Hamiltonban Township
On June 25 the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation closed the span that carries Water Street over Spring Run in Hamiltonban Township to begin excavation in preparation to remove the existing single-span concrete slab structure and replace it with a precast concrete box culvert.
PennDOT noted in a press release that Water Street would be closed to through traffic between Main Street and Girl Scout Road for up to 65 days through August 30 while the span is being replaced. A detour that utilizes Main Street, McGinley Drive, Tract Road, and Pumping Station Road is available for through traffic.
This project comes at a cost of approximately $1.3 million and was awarded to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., this past December. The entire project includes the removal of the span on Water Street, while replacing it with a precast concrete box culvert and replacing the superstructure of the bridge that carries Stoney Point Road over Mud Run at the Latimore-Reading Township line.
In addition to this road project, Hickory Bridge Road has also been undergoing extensive roadwork including the replacement of drains and the installment of new water lines. Paving on Hickory Bridge Road began in late June. Iron Springs Road was also closed towards the end of June for roadwork.
Gettysburg National Cemetery water line undergoes replacement
According to a press release from the Gettysburg National Military Park, the installation of a new waterline has begun in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. This new waterline will replace a waterline that was first installed back in 1939. The new line will be installed directly above the old line and there is no expected concern of impacts to burials or any other underground resource. All
excavation work will be monitored by a NPS archaeologist.
The existing waterline was first installed in 1939 to support irrigation and monument cleaning but has been out of service for more than five years due to leaks. A contract to replace the line was awarded late last year. In consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and Gettysburg National Military Park’s own Cultural Resources staff, a plan was established to best approach this
work. To limit the disturbance to the landscape, as well as underground, the replacement waterline will be installed directly above the existing waterline. A vibratory plow will be used to cut a narrow path down 24 inches and the new plastic line will be installed as the contractor proceeds with the plow.
Excavation work began on June 4 in locations where new hose connections will be installed along with pits for boring the waterline under the cemetery roadway.
Work is expected to be complete by the end of June. If this project is not complete by the end of June, work will cease during the 156th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3) and resume shortly thereafter.
Gettysburg National Cemetery was established in 1863 as a final resting place for Union dead killed in the Battle of Gettysburg. Currently, over 6,000 deceased service members, including those killed in action in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts rest within its seventeen acres.
