A lengthy downtown Franklinton detour is now over.
Following repairs to a leaking gas pipe, barricades at the corner of Hancock and Washington Street were removed on Thursday.
Town workers were forced to wait for a replacement pipe because the original leaking pipe was manufactured back in the 1950’s. A replacement pipe had to be found that would fit perfectly into the ancient pipeline.
Franklinton Mayor Darwin Sharp was at the scene of the repair. He said he was extremely glad that an appropriate replacement was found for the leaking pipe.
He noted that once the town obtained the replacement pipe the repairs were completed immediately.
Sharp said a temporary patch was placed on Hancock Street where the repair took place. He said the area of the temporary patch will soon be smoothed over with permanent pavement.
The road closure hasn't just been inconvenient to motorists. It has also affected nearby businesses, including Resource Bank. An earlier issue with old pipes caused a long closure of Carter Street at its intersection with Main Street.
Franklinton Public Works Director Reginald McMasters expressed his frustration with Franklinton’s aging pipes at the December City Council meeting. He said the leaking pipe that caused the Hancock Street closure is an Army surplus pipe from way back in the 1950’s.
No one seems to be blaming the Town of Franklinton for the road closure --- most people understand the issue with aging pipes. And now that the Hancock Street detour is over, citizens can hope it will be a long time, if ever, before another leaking Franklinton pipe causes more inconvenience.
