Bridge replacement to begin April 15 on Route 72 over Swatara Creek (Updated)

Work on the replacement of the Route 72 bridge over the Swatara Creek is scheduled to get underway on Monday, April 15.

The bridge, which carries Route 72 over the Swatara Creek between Jonestown Road in Union Township and New Bunker Hill Road in Swatara Township, will be closed for the duration of the project, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A detour will be available for road traffic utilizing routes 22 and 343, while cyclists can use Jonestown Road, the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, and New Bunker Hill Road.

A temporary signal will be placed at the intersection of Market and Lancaster streets in Jonestown Borough to assist with traffic flow during construction. Access to all businesses, homes, side roads, alleys, mailboxes, and fire hydrants within the project limits will remain available throughout construction.

PennDOT project manager Adam Wright told LebTown that the temporary signal will be installed the week of April 8. The signal will remain on “flash” status (similar to existing stop sign configuration) until the detour is implemented on April 15.

The $4.96 million project will include replacement of the existing structure, minor roadway reconstruction, guiderail improvements, and drainage improvements. Work is expected to wrap up by Nov. 20.

Learn more about the project in LebTown’s article from earlier this year.

Rt. 72 bridge over Swattie to close mid-April for replacement, detour planned