HELMETTA — The borough has received a $197,000 state Department of Transportation grant for the reconstruction of Old Forge Road.
Mayor Nancy Martin said the town applied for the grant for reasons including problems with a sinkhole and wear and tear caused by trucks using the road.
“So, we are very happy to secure this funding,” she said. “Although it is designated as a ‘no truck route,’many of the residents on Old Forge Road complain of the truck traffic. We are hoping to reconstruct Old Forge and we will request stepped up enforcement by our police department to avoid any trucks using this route, unless making a delivery.”
The section of Old Forge Road to be reconstructed runs from Main Street to the border with Monroe.
Borough Engineer Terry Vogt said the borough will have to authorize the project design and allocate funding for that portion, which he said will account for about 9 percent of the total cost. The project will then go out to bid and may be completed next spring.
The scope of the work includes 2 inches of full width milling of the surface of Old Forge Road, and the laying of new surface course. The work will include replacement of existing storm-water inlet heads, resetting of existing inlets, manholes, and water and gas valves as necessary.
Installation of new curbing and replacement of existing curbing is also included in the project on an as-needed basis.

