
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 4, 1994                   TAG: 9401130012
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Medium

PULASKI FURNITURE WANTS BRIDGE OVER STREET FOR EXPANSION|

Pulaski Town Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing today on whether to allow Pulaski Furniture Corp. to build a utility bridge over town right-of- way as part of a $10 million plant expansion.

The proposed utility bridge would cross Madison Avenue. Pete Crawford, the company's vice president for administration, said it would be used to support steam, compressed air, condensate return and dust pipe connections between the existing boiler room and the 75,000-square foot miniplant under construction.

The company announced plans last summer for the expansion, which will allow Pulaski Furniture to hire 110 new employees for specialized jobs with computerized wood-working machinery.

The council meeting starts at 4 p.m. The public hearing is the first major piece of business on its agenda.

The proposed bridge would be located about 250 feet north of the intersection of 3rd Street NW and Madison Avenue. It would have a minimum clearance over Madison Avenue of 16 feet.

Crawford said the company thought there should be no problem getting the encroachment from the town because a bridge had existed there in the past.

Town Engineer John Hawley said Pulaski Furniture would provide a certificate of insurance, protecting both the company and the town in connection with the bridge.

Town Manager Tom Combiths said the Public Operations Committee had no objection to the company's request, but wanted to be sure the bridge would not have pedestrian access and that it would be adequately secured to prevent anyone from getting on it without permission.

The company has said that pedestrian access will be prohibited and that adequate security will be provided.

The town's Fire Department has no objection to the bridge as long as the 16-foot clearance is maintained, Combiths said.

An ordinance drawn up for council's consideration today would require Pulaski Furniture to remove the bridge if it is ever abandoned. The town would reserve the right to require removal if the bridge was ever determined to be a threat to public safety, health and welfare.

by CNB