Luzerne Co. residents show concern over utility work
SHICKSHINNY, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Questions and concerns are being raised by some residents of a Luzerne County community regarding a recent utility project they say damaged their properties.
The project involves a fiber optics system installed through Shickshinny. Residents claim they are having a hard time getting answers to their concerns and they reached out to the I-Team for help.
There are a lot of moving parts to this story. The project in question involves several companies, as well as PennDOT, residents say they just want answers from someone.
“I’ve been trying to find out who’s responsible. I can’t talk to anybody. I can’t communicate with them and stuff,” said Shickshinny property manager Jim Bach.
Bach owns and manages several properties in Shickshinny. He claims work done on a fiber optics system in front of this property on Route 11 caused damage to the foundation in the basement.
“Well, I never saw the cracks before and stuff like that, and when my tenant said the whole building shook and stuff, and she heard things cracking and falling down here. I came to look and that’s when I saw it,” Bach explained.
Bach also says the concrete work on his sidewalk, in his words, is not up to par.
“I’d like to see them come here and say ‘How are you going to fix this?’ I was told everything was going to be returned as it was. This thing was not there before and you can see it’s not fastened. It wobbled. When you go to shovel snow there’s going to be an issue,” Bach added.
Shickshinny borough officials confirm that the work is part of a fiber optics system connected to the Talen Energy Company in Salem Township.
Talen operates the nuclear power plant. Shickshinny officials say a firm subcontracted to work on the fiber optics system did the actual construction work over the past several months.
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I know the contracting company responded to complaints and addressed any issues. They were very responsive to concerns and complaints that we received at the borough.
Shickshinny Borough Council President Jessica Bolles
A PennDOT spokesperson confirmed with the I-Team that they issued permits to the subcontractor for PennDOT right of way in November of last year for the fiber optics system project.
As a condition of that permit, all disturbed areas outside the pavement or shoulder must be restored to a condition at least equal to that which existed before the start of the work.
PennDOT spokesperson Liz Fabri
“This isn’t right Andy. It’s not right. I’m standing up for all the people that can’t speak for themselves and don’t know what to do,” Bach said.
Bach and several other residents say they filed complaints with the Public Utility Commission.
28/22 News I-Team did hear back from spokespersons for Talen Energy and the subcontracting company, which PennDOT identified as “Century Link.” They told the I-team they were researching the issues and would get back to us.
28/22 News is still working on the story and there is more to come in the days ahead.
Concerned residents can file complaints or get answers to their concerns about this project by calling Senator Lynda Culver’s Office at 570-784-3464.
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