State inspector providing insight as Inclined Plane project progresses, CamTran says

Yahoo

22-05-2025

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – As the Inclined Plane has completed new phases of repairs, the Cambria County Transit Authority has called on a state inspector to examine the work to avoid the potential of future setbacks, the authority's director said.
For a project that had to overcome a series of previous setbacks, the Department of Labor review provides added assurance that the work continues progressing on the right track, CamTran Executive Director Rose Lucey-Noll said
And given the fact a Department of Labor inspector will eventually need to conduct a final 'commissioning' inspection before Inclined Plane cars can begin serving the community again, the ongoing reviews should help simplify that process, she said.
'We're being proactive.
'The inspector is able to take a look at what (components have been installed) – and recommend anything that might need to be tweaked,' Lucey-Noll said, noting that it should reduce the risk of future 'surprises' after construction is complete.
The current completion date is targeted for fall, with CamTran aiming to have the landmark open to the public again by the end of 2025.
Lucey-Noll discussed the project's ongoing work Wednesday after the board's monthly board meeting – and weeks after the last of the furnicular's refurbished metal sheave wheels were installed on site.
Those wheels were a longtime sticking point to the Inclined Plane's progress over the past two years. At one point, inadequate wheels brought the project to a total halt and led CamTran to hire an engineering consultant to help CamTran solve the issue in 2024.
As is, the wheels have passed 'all inspections,' including tension requirements, Lucey-Noll said.
But the Inclined Plane operator's booth must be reinstalled and reconnected before cars can be moved from the station to continue additional examinations, she said.
Contractors were working Wednesday along the top of the Inclined Plane, installing pressure-treated wood flooring for the upper deck where passengers wait to board.
The operator's booth, which sits on top of the floor, should be back in place by the end of the week, Lucey-Noll told authority members Wednesday.
She said she wasn't immediately certain how long it will take for the project's electrical contractor to rewire the booth for use.
A new haul rope, which was approved by the board in March, also must be installed, but that isn't projected to arrive before late July at the earliest, Lucey-Noll said.
She said the Inclined Plane's existing rope will likely be used as the project proceeds through construction in the meantime.
As one example, Inclined Plane cars will need to be moved to finish a painting project, Lucey-Noll said.
Two payments were approved to contractors Wednesday for past work.
The project's general contractor, Mosites Construction, received $6,458 for site work completed this spring.
Plant Services Group was paid an additional $160,077 for its work during the sheave wheel installation process.
Budget approvedCamTran officials approved an $18.9 million budget for the coming year.
That's up several million dollars from the current year's plan, but that's because of the added program the authority took on in 2025.
Of the $18.9 million budgeted for expenses from July through June 30, 2026, Lucey-Noll said $3 million involves the countywide Medical Assistance Transportation Program.
Through a partnership with a York company called rabbittransit, CamTran's program enables residents on Medicaid to receive no-cost transportation to Medicaid- billed medical appointments and pharmacies – assuming those recipients have 'transportation' listed as a plan benefit, CamTran officials have said.
The program has been used extensively in recent months, with more than 7,000 trips logged in April.
CamTran operates urban and rural bus services across much of Cambria County and employs 130 people.
Its separate Inclined Plane budget was approved with a $1.1 million spending total.
That reflects the fact the landmark won't be in operation until later this year, Lucey-Noll said.