Published January 05, 2009 10:02 pm - Repair work could commence soon on the long-closed truck weigh scales on Interstate 90 .
Weigh scales repair could start in spring
By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
CONNEAUT — Repair work could commence soon on the long-closed truck weigh scales on Interstate 90 .
The scales closed in 2007 when faulty concrete was discovered near the scales mechanism, posing a safety hazard to vehicles, officials said at the time.
Lt. Mike Harmon of the Ashtabula County OHP post said he understood repairs may begin sometime this spring. If so, the scales could reopen by the end of the year, he said. Work was set to start last year, but was delayed by contract problems, officials have said.
No information on the repair project was immediately available Monday from the OHP headquarters in Columbus.
The scales’ status has been followed closely in recent months by city leaders struggling with a cash-depleted 2009 budget. Last year, Finance Director John Williams estimated the city earns $30,000 from citations issued to overweight trucks detected at the scales. Earnings dipped dramatically since the scales have been closed.
Not everyone misses the scales. Residents who live on East Main Road (Route 20) have said the number of trucks traveling the highway have dropped since the scales closed. They suspect overweight trucks use Route 20 to slip past the scales by exiting I-90 at Route 6N in West Springfield, Pa., and then rejoin the freeway at Route 7.
Some City Council members have informally discussed the value of devoting a police officer to truck enforcement, with the thought of raising revenue.
When operational, the scales — which opened in 1990 — intercept westbound truck traffic a short distance inside the Ohio line.
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