The South Main Street bridge is pictured in April 2018 during a rehabilitation project. The coronavirus pandemic could have an impact on local road repair projects due to a hit on revenue this year. P-J file photo

The possible impact the coronavirus pandemic might have on street repair projects this summer in the city of Jamestown and throughout Chautauqua County remains unknown.

Because of the revenue hit the state has taken because of the pandemic, it’s unknown how much state aid will be given to local municipalities this year for highway construction projects.

“We are still working on the streets program. There is a number of variables that are making it difficult to tie down (what street projects will be done this year). Primarily are concerns as to the loss of state aid,” said Jeff Lehman, Jamestown public works director. “Also an issue is the availability of the work force. We will likely be proposing a scaled back program with the ability to add to it if the other resources are available.”

Lehman said because highway construction projects are considered essential, road crews will continue to be able to work during the pandemic. However, he said the number of employees has been scaled back to adhere to the social distancing mandate and to potentially limit a worker’s exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

“Our crews have been deemed essential, although we have scaled back our hours,” Lehman said. “We will continue to monitor that based on state guidelines.”

City of Jamestown and Chautauqua County summer highway projects will be done this year under the current mandates like social distancing following the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. P-J file photo

Brad Bentley, Chautauqua County public facilities director, said county officials expect to do less highway maintenance this year too because of the unknowns associated with the pandemic, including how much state aid the county will receive.

“As of today, the county is anticipating a reduction in amount of road maintenance that would normally be done in a typical year,” Bentley said. “The types of activities that are included in this reduction are crack sealing, ditching, some surface treatment of roads and some road shoulder maintenance.”

Bentley said county officials have scheduled the highest priority projects to be done first so county highways and bridges are kept safe.

“To the extent a lower priority project can be deferred without having a significant adverse effect on the safety to the traveling public, the county is evaluating the necessary steps that will facilitate a deferral,” Bentley said.

Lehman said the city has enough personal protective equipment for its street repair crews.

P-J file photo

“The city has worked with the employees and have put numerous new measures in place to protect the workers,” he said. “We have taken certain COVID-19 precautions to separate crews, stagger shifts, while protecting the employees and the public.”

Bentley said the county also has the necessary personal protection equipment necessary to protect its workforce.

“The county (Department of Public Facilities) has the proper (personal protective equipment) for its employees and expects to be able to supply the necessary PPE throughout the construction season,” Bentley said.

Lehman said he doesn’t believe city road crews will have problems adhering to the social distancing mandate.

“We have been doing everything we can to apply social distancing into our current operations,” he said. “We are also providing additional trucks to reduce employees riding together and scheduling individual employees to operate the same piece of equipment all week to avoid cross contamination.”

Bentley said when social distancing 6 feet apart cannot be done during a highway repair, workers will be expected to wear a face mask.

“The county expects its employees to follow the appropriate social distancing protocols,” Bentley said. “The county also realizes that some construction activities will require employees to be closer than 6 feet. However, appropriate (personal protective equipment) including face coverings will be required in those instances.”

Lehman and Bentley said there is always a concern for the safety of the highway workers, who run heavy machinery on a regular basis.

“Certainly there is always a concern, but I feel that we are doing all we can to keep our workers safe, and still provide an essential service,” Lehman said. “We will continue to operate under the same guidelines that we have been. Hopefully, things get back to normal sooner than later.”