Remnants: (Was 62 Trafford - repaving)

[Harold Geissenheimer]

Greetings

Once again John Swindler is on the right track.

Before the Port Authority takeover, the Pa. PUC had control
over abandonments and track removal.  I believe that they
would issue an order as part of the abandonment.  The results
could be different according to who owned the street-City, Boro,
County or State, or PRW.  The condition of the street was also
important.  The new paving with tracks on Second Ave was a
different problem from an old cobble stone street.  I do not believe that
the Port Authority had any responsibility for lines abandoned by PRC.

After the Port Authority takeover, the Pa PUC was not involved.
I believe PAT made individual payments to each municipality or agency.
Should be a matter of public record.

Track abandonments in Oakmont or McKeesport-Boston are all PA PUC
related.

John Mauro, PAT Executive Director after John Dameron was sensitive to
track removal or paving as he was a former City of Pittsburgh Planning Director
with close ties to the County administration.  He understood the municipalities
were limited in their ability to pay.

Funding in Mt Lebanon was no doubt from Federal Early Action funds.

Harold Geissenheimer

John Swindler wrote:

> >From: Jim Holland <pghpcc at pacbell.net>
> >Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> >To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> >Subject: Re: Remnants: (Was 62 Trafford - repaving)
> >Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 13:23:36 -0700
> >
> >Greetings!
> >
> >Kenneth and Tracie Josephson wrote:
> >
> > > What I find interesting (as well as ironic) is that the subsequent
> >removal of 42/38
> > > trackage and overhead infrastructure from Washington Road during the
> >1980's appears more
> > > complete than the removal of other streetcar infrastructure that was
> >abandoned in the
> > > '50's, '60's amd early '70's.
> >
> >       Basically, it is extremely expensive to go back and dig up the tracks
> >after abandonment.  You will find *many* cities where the car lines are
> >literally tarred and feathered the day after abandonment.
> >       A classic case was Los Angeles.  Within weeks after abandonment the
> >streets were tarred - not dug up to remove rails, simply tarred - but
> >the wire was still up.  Saw this myself after I got out of boot in June
> >of 1963.
> >       The only time that tracks would be removed from the street after
> >abandonment is if there was a major rebuilding slated.  Removal of the
> >tracks would then be a part of the rebuilding program.
> >
> >James B. Holland
> >
>
> In the case of West Liberty Ave./Washington Rd. from Dormont Wye to
> Clearview Loop, track removal and street repaving was part of Light Rail
> Project.  Therefore paid with three cent - dollars.  For PAT to remove rail
> from East End and Northside routes after abandonment in 1960s would have
> required 100 cent - dollars.  Thus not the least bit ironic.
>
> John S.
>
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