Wider Penn Township bridge opens in time for Penn-Trafford school traffic
A replacement bridge on Penn Township’s Watt Road opened to traffic Wednesday, just in time for the start of classes Thursday at Penn-Trafford School District.
The bridge across Bushy Run was replaced and upgraded as part of PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Project.
The previous span was closed in June and was replaced with a new version that is longer, wider and is designed to last for 100 years, according to project spokesman Rory G. McGlasson. Construction of the bridge was completed by Mele & Mele & Sons, Inc. of Braddock.
During construction, traffic was detoured along Harrison City-Export Road, Route 130 and Bushy Run and Gongaware roads.
The bridge is one of 558 in the state that are being replaced through a public-private partnership between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners. The private partners have agreed to finance, design, replace and maintain the bridges for 25 years.
According to PennDOT, the public-private approach has allowed the targeted bridges to be replaced more quickly while achieving savings and minimizing the impact on motorists.
Visit parapidbridges.com for more information about the bridges included in the program. Information also can be obtained by emailing info@parapidbridges.com or by calling 877-444-9990.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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