Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton John Hanna speaks during a Warren City Council work session held on Monday night to discuss a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Market St. and Pennsylvania Ave.

The Warren City Council undertook a fact-finding mission Monday night.

The subject? The roundabout proposed for the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Market St.

Mayor Dave Wortman said the new members of city council “still have some concerns” about where the project currently stands as well as the long-term “viability of the project itself.”

The session ran for two hours and featured an in-depth discussion with many of the PennDOT staff responsible for the project, including District Executive Brian McNulty and Chris Boyer-Krantz, the project manager.

Wortman said there would be no deliberation by council on Monday but that the item would be discussed at next Monday’s regular monthly council meeting.

McNulty told council that there are just a couple steps that remain before the project goes out for bid. That date is targeted for no later than March 10 but hopefully sooner. Bids, he said, would be opened April 14 with a notice to proceed issued by the end of May.

He said the majority of construction is expected to be wrapping up in October with some items, such as decorative lights, waiting until Spring 2023.

McNulty told council that $1.5 million has been spent to date on the project and that the estimated construction cost is currently $3.76 million.

That places the total price tag in excess of $5.2 million.

There has been discussion that the city could be on the hook to reimburse what’s been spent if the project were halted.

Councilman John Wortman asked McNulty if PennDOT is set on a roundabout in the intersection if the compensation issue were addressed.

“We are 100 percent moving forward with it and we wouldn’t entertain the potential for payback at this time,” McNulty said.

He stressed that planning and public involvement processes have been followed.

“As a result,” he said, “we have a project that’s going to improve the intersection for our customers and the citizens there in the city.”

Wortman asked who – whether McNulty, the Secretary of PennDOT or the governor – still would have the authority to stop the project at this point.

McNulty said the decision would be “beyond myself. We are moving ahead. That’s my call. (The PennDOT) secretary could overrule that.”

He wouldn’t comment directly on whether eminent domain was used to secure any property as part of this project, telling council he would look into whether that could be disclosed and would share if it can be.

“No buildings will be gone because of this project,” Boyer-Krantz said, explaining that the property taken are “strip takes” that are “wide enough to move our sidewalks…. It does impact a few parking spaces here and there and some green space in front of the credit union.

A total of 29 parking spaces would be lost as a result of the project.

A host of other issues from safety, to alternative options as well as public comment – were discussed as part of the session that will be detailed in a story in Wednesday’s Times Observer.