| For the second day, Linde Enterprises
has fallen behind expectations in the number of hydrants it has been able to install in
the city, but Scranton Deputy Fire Chief Terry Osborne said he is thrilled with the
company's progress. Deputy Chief Osborne said Linde installed 10 hydrants by
mid-afternoon Friday. He did not have a final count for the day.
On Thursday, the first day of installation, Linde put 12 hydrants in the ground. City
officials had hoped for 16 hydrants a day, and that is the amount Linde indicated in its
bid that it would do.
The company has been slowed by crumbling pipes, malfunctioning valves and other
problems. As a result, the process is taking longer, but Deputy Chief Osborne said finding
those problems and correcting them is good.
He added that Linde has received cooperation from Pennsylvania-American Water Co.,
which has workers on site to obtain needed parts.
The Weston Field and Green Ridge areas are completed. Linde will move to North Scranton
and Tripps Park on Monday, Deputy Chief Osborne said.
The high number of dead hydrants in the city only recently became public. After a
general outcry, Mayor Jim Connors agreed to hire a contractor to replace up to 150
hydrants. |
