Potter County roadways are seeing the effects of heavier truck
traffic in some areas as the Marcellus Shale drilling projects pick
up.

Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel explained that areas in
West Branch Township south of Galeton have roads that show
deterioration already.

When asked if the commissioners had concerns about this
potential issue, Heimel said, “It’s already hitting and with all
forecasts of increasing activity this year and in coming years, it
is an issue that is going to worsen. It does demand some attention,
and we are really thinking of funding.”

Heimel explained the commissioners and Scott Majot, the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation maintenance manager for
Cameron and Potter counties, met with Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati,
R-Brockway, to bring the situation to his attention in March.

“Senator Scarnati was quite interested in Scott’s perspective,”
Heimel said. “Scott was very candid with the senator and explained
that with a pretty tough winter in terms of road treatment and
stress on PennDOT personnel, a lot of the budget was used. Scott
was emphasizing that PennDOT needs more money to be able to
maintain state-owned roads with all the drilling beginning. They
are working with a very lean budget right now, at the worst time
possible.”

Heimel also noted the issue has several angles that have to be
considered, including that of the townships.

“Many township supervisors are concerned,” Heimel said.
“However, the gas companies operating here are priding themselves
on their good relationships with the townships. We’ve heard from
several of the township levels that the companies are communicating
openly and saying that they are going to cause serious damage to
the roadways. They are willing to sign a maintenance agreement, not
only to restore the roads but in some cases to improve the road so
it is in better shape than before the work started.”

Heimel said the gas companies are attempting to be very
proactive with the supervisors prior to the beginning of drilling
and note that while there will be a period of time the road will be
in rough shape, that period will be temporary.

PennDOT spokeswoman Marla Fannin stated that the department is
already in preliminary discussions with the companies.

“We are working with haulers in regard to the issue,” Fannin
said. “We certainly do have concerns as far as maintaining the
integrity of the roadways. We are going to be staying on top of the
issue.”

Fannin said that roadway repair will be a main topic, and that
at this point, all parties who need to be involved in the
conversations are involved and are cooperative.