Delaware Canal repairs from Easton to Raubsville to begin in fall

The Associated Press NEW HOPE, Pa. - Repairs are expected to begin this fall on three years worth of flood damage to the Delaware Canal, starting with a stretch from Easton to Raubsville.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has opened the only bid for the project, $10.7 million by Popple Construction, of Laflin, Luzerne County, and is awarding the contract, spokesman Chris Novak said.

Contracts are expected to be awarded in the fall for repairs from New Hope to Yardley in Bucks County, and early next year for stretches in between, with total repair costs expected to reach $35 million to $40 million.

Floods in 2004, 2005 and 2006 devastated the canal, caving in walls and washing out large stretches of the walking path along the nearly 60 miles from Easton in Northampton County to Bristol in lower Bucks County.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to pay for 75 percent of the repairs if the state supplies a 25 percent match, said Joe Szafran, executive director of Friends of the Delaware Canal."Ultimately, we want to see the canal (filled with water) and fully walkable all 60 miles," Szafran said.,,,

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