Perkiomen Board Concerned with ‘Sub Par’ Road Work

The Perkiomen Township Board of Supervisors discussed at its July meeting what some members thought to be sub-bar road work on Bridge Street, between Gravel Pike and Wartman Road, and how to fix it..

A resident brought up the topic, and township officials also complained of the street, which was likened to “a washboard” after undergoing an overlay as part of the township’s 2013 road project by D. Malloy Construction.

According to township engineer Daniel Coghlan, the contractor said that the road condition prior to the overlay, done in the spring, caused the bumps.

“Structurally, it’s there,” Coghlan said. “It’s slightly inconvenient – but it’s not unsafe.”

Coughlin provided a letter grade to the work, stating that most of the work in the township is “A” work, while this road would be considered a “C” or a “B-.“

“If we’re paying for A work and getting C work, under the contract, to we have any remedies?” asked supervisor Paul Becker.  “Otherwise, all we’re doing is relying on the creative storytelling of the contractor.”

Solicitor Ken Picardi said that work should be be done in a good and workman-like fashion, according to the law.

“Someone from [the township’s engineering firm] could look at it and make an evaluation, or get some sort of paving expert to render an opinion that the work is not up to standard, so to speak,” Picardi said, who also said the contractor would likely hire a firm to say the work is up to standards.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy battle,” Coughlin said.

Perkiomen Township Manager said that it might be best if D. Malloy officials came in to explain the status of the road directly to the board.

“It may be a situation where the contractor may need to come to the board and explain exactly what happened over the course of installing the paving on this road,” said Daniel.

The board asked Coghlan to discuss the board’s displeasure with the work to figure out the next step.