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Project may shut down bridge
BLAIRSVILLE--Officials at PennDOT District 10 are planning for a proposed deck replacement on McCormick's Bridge that could possibly shut down the Rt. 217 span during the summer of 2010.
But the state hasn't allocated any funding for the work, Adam L. Marshall, senior civil engineer supervisor for District 10, acknowledged at an open house display of project plans last week at the Blairsville Borough office.
In the event money becomes available, "we're looking to have a plan ready," he said.
The 400-foot-long bridge, built in the early 1950s, crosses Black Lick Creek, connecting Burrell and Blacklick townships. After inspectors noted that the deck condition was below average, local PennDOT planners decided to pursue a replacement "before we have a problem," Marshall said.
While the deck would be replaced, the bridge's steel beams would remain in place, he said. There would be minimal work required on approaches to the bridge.
No additional right-of-way would be needed for the project, Marshall said.
During construction, the bridge will be closed to traffic, requiring motorists to take alternate routes. The official PennDOT detour, deemed appropriate for vehicles of all weight classes, would take traffic on a 21.3-mile journey using routes 22, 119, 422 and 286.
McCormick's Bridge is used by an average of 2,500 vehicles per day, according to project planners.
Costs for the project are pegged at about $1.2 million, according to preliminary estimates. Unless additional funding becomes available for area bridge work, the McCormick's span may have to wait in line behind other, more extensive projects that are slated for construction beginning in 2011--including proposed replacement of the Blacklegs Creek Bridge on Rt. 286 outside of Saltsburg.
Regardless of funding, the McCormick's project will have to wait at least until 2010. Marshall noted Rt. 217 must remain open during the summer of 2009, as part of a planned detour during a closure on Power Plant Road for realignment of a curve.
The deck replacement would begin in May and would be targeted for completion by September.
"Our goal is to avoid the school year with any closure," Marshall said. But, he added, "The size of the bridge might not allow that."
Engineering consultant Erdman Anthony has assisted with preparation of the project plans. The company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., with an office near Harrisburg.
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