Latest news with #CambriaCountyTransitAuthority
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State inspector providing insight as Inclined Plane project progresses, CamTran says
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.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Temporary daily road closures planned during Johnstown Inclined Plane rehabilitation project
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — A portion of Edgehill Drive in Johnstown will close daily from May 19 through May 21 as construction crews continue work on the Johnstown Inclined Plane rehabilitation project. The Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran) announced that the middle section of Edgehill Drive, located in front of the Inclined Plane Gift Shop, will be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. The road and surrounding areas will reopen after work hours. The closure will allow workers to reinstall decking and complete wiring and installation of the Operator's Booth on the platform. In addition, access to the steps leading to the Mound and the observation and waiting deck will also be restricted during construction hours. Despite the closure, Asiago's Restaurant at the Visitor's Center will remain open during regular hours, with uninterrupted access and available parking along Edgehill Drive. CamTran previously completed the reinstallation of the main haul and safety sheave wheels, and the general contractor is set to continue the next stage of construction. The authority thanked the public for its continued patience as the project progresses. For updates on the Inclined Plane project, including monthly reports, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
CamTran shares April progress update on Johnstown Inclined Plane rehabilitation project
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — New wheels, reopened roads and steady structural work marked the latest progress in the ongoing rehabilitation of the Johnstown Inclined Plane. In an April update, the Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran) announced that the North and South Haul and Safety rims have been installed. The North Safety Sheave wheel has also been delivered to the site and is expected to be installed next week. As structural work continues beneath the platform, crews also reached a key milestone ahead of schedule, removing scaffolding and reopening Edgehill Drive to the public on April 23, one day early. Six main haul sheave wheels, three on the north side and three on the south, are part of the overhaul, along with two safety sheave wheels, according to CamTran. Asiago's restaurant, located at the Inclined Plane's Visitor Center, remains open throughout the project. CamTran emphasized its commitment to safety and encouraged the public to stay informed through the official Inclined Plane website and social media updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Johnstown Inclined Plane project to cause temporary road closure
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — There will be a temporary road closure starting next week due to ongoing work at the Johnstown Inclined Plane. The Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran) shared that Edgehill Drive, from Greene Street to Erie Street, will be closed to all vehicles and people. The closure will begin on Monday, April 21 from 7 a.m. to Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m. The closure is due to the disassembling and removal of scaffolding that's above the upper station's sheave room. It's critical work and the closure is just to keep the public safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
CamTran chief eyeing end of year for Inclined Plane to reopen
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The process of reinstalling the recently reviewed, polished and measured sheave wheels of the Johnstown Inclined Plane has gotten underway. The new grooved wheels had to be individually cast in order to fit into the system that was designed in the 1890s. Multiple issues with the sheave wheels have slowed the renovation of the Inclined Plane. In February, the Cambria County Transit Authority, which owns the historic hillside railway system, approved $1.68 million in change orders to repair the six sheave wheels and two safety sheave wheels. CamTran did not need to use any of its funds to cover the extra expenses. Getting the wheels in place is part of an overall plan to get the long-idled Inclined Plane, a Johnstown-area landmark that connects downtown Johnstown to Westmont Borough, operational again. 'Our target (to have the rehabilitation work done) is sometime in August,' CamTran Executive Director Rose Lucey-Noll said during an interview after the board's regular meeting Friday. 'Like the end of the summer, we would have the project completed, and then we start our commissioning process and then also our training, so it won't be until the end of the year that we would see the Incline reopen.' 'Happy to be able to help the community' Also during the meeting, Lucey-Noll provided an update about CamTran taking over the county-wide Medical Assistance Transportation Program Tuesday. The service provides free rides to Medicaid recipients for medical purposes such as doctor visits and prescription pickups. 'We're very happy to be able to help the community out,' she said. 'Again, the opportunity to provide more efficient transportation in the community for services is very important in what we do and what we want to do to help people.'
