A crew from JW Didado was working for First Energy Transmission on Monday behind the Water Street Flea Market. Mirror photo by Walt Frank

ALEXANDRIA — If all goes as scheduled, the Alfarata trailhead of the Lower Trail should reopen next week.

The trail has been temporarily closed from the Alfarata trailhead near Alexandria for about 0.7 miles to the area behind the Water Street Flea Market.

Penelec has closed that section of the trail as it works on its Warrior Ridge Rebuild Project, as crews found that the matting needed to safely position equipment could not fit within the narrow area between the work site and the trail, said Lauren Siburkis, program manager, transmission communications for First Energy, Penelec’s parent company.

“Construction was briefly delayed by recent storms, but we still expect to complete the work and have all equipment and materials removed from the site by April 7, allowing the trail to reopen to the public,” Siburkis said.

Meanwhile, progress is being made on a project to reopen the Dilling Bridge.

The bridge, located between mile markers 9 and 10, is near the midpoint of the 16.5-mile walking/biking trail that runs from Flowing Spring near Canoe Creek to Alfarata near Alexandria.

The bridge was marked for closure Aug. 29 following an inspection by Keller Engineers Inc., Hollidaysburg, which showed a deterioration of one of the bridge’s supporting piers.

“Keller Engineers has been on scene getting measurements. They are putting together a final construction plan for repairs to the bridge,” said Mike Panek, vice president of Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania Inc., which owns the trail. Panek is also director of trail conditions and maintenance.

Panek said Cottle Asphalt Maintenance, project contractor, is still hoping to complete the project to reopen the bridge in June or July.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.