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A road construction project that will close a busy stretch of Lincoln Way in White Oak for two months has been postponed --- but only until next week.

Inclement weather has forced crews to delay the start of work on a bridge near Oak Park Mall until July 26, says Jim Struzzi, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

The work between Route 48 and the entrance to the Busy Beaver store includes replacement of an existing two-lane bridge that carries more than 14,000 cars daily.

General contractor is Clearwater Construction of Mercer County, Struzzi says.

Lincoln Way will be closed through September, he says. The posted detour requires motorists to use Route 30 instead of Lincoln Way.

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Boston Bridge, 885 Work Slated: Meanwhile, several other repair projects will affect motorists this week --- if the weather cooperates.

On Wednesday and Thursday, crews from Mackin Engineering and Sofis Rigging Co. will be inspecting the Boston Bridge, which crosses the Youghiogheny River between Versailles and Elizabeth Township.

The work will restrict traffic to one lane in alternating directions between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Struzzi says.

Also restricted is traffic on Route 885 --- Clairton Road --- in West Mifflin. PennDOT workers are repairing drainage pipes along 885 between Community College of Allegheny County's South Campus and the entrance to Century III Mall, Struzzi says. Part of New England Road is also affected by the drainage repairs.

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Hunter Safety Course Offered: The Clairton Sportsmen's Club will host a two-day course in hunting and trapping on Aug. 6 and 7, a spokesman said.

Under state law, the course is mandatory for prospective hunters --- regardless of age --- who are about to purchase their first hunting or trapping license. Participants must attend on both days to receive credit for completing the course, and must be at least 11 years old by Aug. 6.

The course is taught by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Registration is required and participants may sign-up using the link at the club's website.

The Clairton Sportsmen's Club is located at 412 Coal Valley Road in Jefferson Hills.


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West Mifflin Vets Host BBQ: Local veterans hosted a barbecue for U.S. Navy reservists and their families on July 10 at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in North Versailles Township.

The event --- which served some 200 people --- was organized through a California-based non-profit group called "BBQ for our Troops," says Mike Mauer, spokesman and quartermaster for Veterans of Foreign Wars "Intrepid" Post 914, based in West Mifflin.

"This is the type of thing our post likes to do," Mauer says. "We're able to interact directly with families in the active military and let them know that the West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars is there to help."

The servicemen and women were from Surgical Company Alpha of the Marine Corps' Fourth Medical Battalion.

Several members of the unit have already been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Mauer says. The local company is based in North Versailles, though its headquarters is in San Diego.

The post also donated $100 to the Ohio-Michigan chapter of BBQ for our Troops, he says. Founded in 2002, the organization specializes in serving "authentic, slow-cooked barbecue" to members of the armed forces.

Because some of the meals take up to 15 hours to prepare, Mauer says members of Post 914 --- including Chaplain Ken Curcio, Ernest Basser, Bernie Zurawski and Dave Luikart, and Curcio's wife, Lisa --- arrived at the reserve center and began cooking the night before.

"For us to roll up our sleeves and help dish out a hot meal is the least we can do for those who are helping preserve our nation's freedoms," Mauer says.

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