LOCAL

Work underway at Madison Street underpass

— By PAT FRIDGEN, Echo Pilot

Construction crews are taking advantage of the nice weather to lay drainage pipes at the west end of East Madison Street. Theirs is the final step of the borough’s stormwater improvement project for that section of town. Water will flow through a larger channel from Washington Street to Carl Avenue. Most of the work was done in 2011. The goal of the project is to complete paving before the PennDOT deadline of Oct. 15.

The last phase of the Madison Street improvement project will be completed this fall. Work began Sept. 12 at the underpass west of Jefferson Street. Valley Quarries, which was awarded the contract by Greencastle Borough Council, hired D.L. George and Sons to excavate on the north side of Madison. The Waynesboro company will remove 170 feet of 18-inch stormwater pipe and replace it with 36-inch pipe. The larger size will match that which was laid under the rest of the street in 2011.

"Hopefully, it will take more water away quicker," said borough manager Ken Womack.

Valley, based in Chambersburg, has 60 days to finish the work, including paving the end of the street. The underpass will be closed periodically during construction.

Last year residents of Madison Street fixed or put in new curbing and sidewalks. They watched crews install new water, stormwater and gas lines, and finally pave the roadway.