WINDBER — Along Railroad Street in Windber, trucks kicking up dirt and dust are leaving many cars black as coal.
Some residents have phoned Borough Council members, written letters or turned out at monthly council meetings to voice complaints about the increased coal-truck traffic.
They’re asking that something be done to clean up the mess.
“All I know is there are a heck of a lot of trucks,” Railroad Street resident Dolores Block said. ”All the cars are black.”
Coal trucks have become increasingly frequent in the borough during the past few years. Rosebud Mining Co. in 2007 reopened the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. Mine 78 and coal processing facility, and Railroad Street is a main route for truck drivers.
With coal trucks making an estimated 800 trips a day through Windber, council continues to work with the mining company to find ways to resolve the problem, Mayor Simon “Red” Ohler said.
“We’ve got to control the dust for the benefit of the town,” he said.
“You should have a reasonable expectation to be free from that.”
Borough officials have little control over traffic on Railroad Street, also known as state Route 1033. But Ohler said he is hoping the mining company could install a truck wash to clean the trucks before they leave the mine site.
Helen Humphreys, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency is aware of the problem.
The DEP has received complaints, but the agency has had no reason to issue citations, she said.
The complaints also are nothing new for the mining company.
Residents’ concerns “trickle up to us,” Rosebud Vice President Jim Barker said.
An unusually harsh winter has left the company dealing with “slop everywhere,” he said.
The company will use a street sweeper to clean the road, something it could not do when the temperature was below freezing.
Barker said the company also considered installing a power wash, but last year opted to spend $300,000 to pave the road where the trucks enter and leave the site, which employs about 250 people.
“The trucks never leave the cement,” he said.
“We just try to do our best.”
Barker said the company is aiming to be a good neighbor.
Rosebud recently stepped in to purchase the Windber Coal Heritage Center Museum for $250,000. The museum, which closed last year amid financial woes, will reopen in a few months.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Coal trucks rumble along Railroad Street in Windber.
Discussion
Coal truck dust-up: Some Windber residents complaining about mess
- Local News
-
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
A Boswell-based summer camp is expanding again, with an additional 130 acres of Ligonier-area land expected to provide more space for a growing program for inner-city youth.
-
City not seeking grant for firemen
Six weeks after a second round of layoffs, Johnstown firefighters believe they have found a way to restore their depleted manpower.
-
Six awarded Allegany College scholarships
Six Somerset County residents recently were awarded the Lucas Popernack Memorial Scholarships for study at Allegany College of Maryland in the current 2011-12 academic year.
-
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.
-
Commissioners appoint three to arena board
The Cambria County commissioners, looking for new input for the county-owned War Memorial Arena, have appointed three new members to the seven-member War Memorial Authority board.
-
In brief: Police seek suspect in Lower Yoder burglary
West Hills Regional Police are searching for a suspect in the burglary of a Lower Yoder Township home on Tuesday.
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
