Derry Borough has repaired a gaping hole in a fence near railroad tracks that were the site of two fatal accidents this year.

The 57-foot hole, which allowed residents to illegally use a set of Norfolk Southern tracks to access borough's business district at East First Avenue, was repaired Friday afternoon. Dave Bollinger of Dave's Construction in Derry organized the repairs and Sallie Gruda of Penn Fencing, Inc. of Indiana, Brandon Leechalk of J.B.L. Contracting in Latrobe, and a volunteer from Ligonier Stone & Lime Concrete Co. in Ligonier, participated in construction.

Additional fencing donated from Bethel Park High School by Massaro Construction will be used at other portions of the fence, but require poles, concrete and a post-hole digger for installation, said Mayor Susan Bortz.

Discussions to repair the fence began in July after 15-year old Douglas Albright was killed crossing the tracks, but talks became urgent after 37-year old Sheila Singer and her 2-year old son, John Smart, were struck and killed hit while attempting to cross on Oct. 30.

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