Complaints about state of West Third Street work zone near Penn College reach Williamsport City Council

"Because it's like a war zone."

That is part of what Williamsport City Councilman Jon Mackey said of the street reconstruction on West Third Street between Rose and Maynard streets.

The stretch of the work zone causes up and down movement and harsh bumps when driving over it.

He was parlaying off concerns expressed a month ago by Councilman Adam Yoder calling for better communication and also saying the zone was a mess for drivers.

Mackey said he knew it was not the city's crew doing the work but asked if there was a plan.

"It can't remain like that over winter as salt will destroy it . . . it has to be blacktopped," said Scott Livermore, city Public Works Department director.

It is a contractor for the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority, he said. The project is related to water infrastructure and is managed by the authority. The portion of Third Street is owned and maintained by the city, according to a spokeswoman with the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Livermore said Bill Scott, city engineer, has met with the authority as the city offices are getting emails and calls from motorists, some of whom are upset after they have either blown a tire or have an alignment issue after driving there.

The work zone impacts the drive for those entering and leaving Pennsylvania College of Technology using Third Street.