LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP, Pa. – During a storm, a tree fell on Cornell Street in Lower Alsace, revealing a problem under the street.
“I mean, it was a great big section,” says Diane Price, a resident of Lower Alsace TWP.
“It was like a third of the tree; so, it went into the yard and into the street, and after they got rid of the tree, we found the hole in the cement,” Price said.
Two holes have opened up along a stretch of Cornell Street, which is currently marked with no parking.
Police say it’s dangerous to be on top of this road when they’re not sure how big of an issue lies underneath.
“We want to be cautious so we do not have to come into a situation where someone gets injured, or property gets damaged,” says Sgt. Nicholas Phillips, Central Berks Regional Police Dept.
Lower Alsace Township officials say the issue is not a simple repair.
The township road foreman says there is an approximately two-foot-wide by two-foot-high void underneath the concrete gutter, and because of its condition, it’s unsafe to park on the street.
Central Berks Police put up signs and barricades, but people continue to park in the unstable areas.
Police say if this continues, people will start to get ticketed or towed.
“We will be patrolling this block quite frequently. They’ll be seeing more of a police presence, and that’s not to be a jerk, that’s to keep people safe,” says Sgt. Phillips.
The township posted on social media saying there will be an approval of a quote for repairs at the August 12th meeting.
The parking may be limited for over a month, and the township asks community members to be patient.