Asphalt Bill Held for Five Months

Pittsburgh Council voted to hold a bill that would require public utilities to “carefully plan” with Pittsburgh’s Public Works Department before excavating roads.

Some Council Members have expressed concerns that utility companies wait until fresh asphalt has been paved to excavate roads when laying pipes or wires. The bill would have utilities excavate just before roads have been repaved.

The 20-week hold will delay the measure until November. Council President Darlene Harris asked for the unusually long hold because she says local utilities are beginning to work more cooperatively with the city.

Councilman Bruce Kraus called the five-month hold a way to “threaten or intimidate” utilities into complying with what the city wants.