Online plans on display for four bridge rehabilitation projects in Lebanon County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has plans for the rehabilitation of four bridges in Lebanon County on display to receive public comment on the project.

Separate plans are on display for each bridge, although they will be bid together under a single contract, PennDOT spokesman Dave Thompson said in a release.

The bridges in question are the Route 22 (Allentown Boulevard) bridge over Reeds Creek in East Hanover Township, the Route 422 (Lincoln Avenue) bridge over Owl Creek in Jackson Township, the Route 934 (South White Oak Street) bridge over Quittapahilla Creek in Annville Township, and the Route 4017 (Harrison School Road) bridge over Interstate 81 in East Hanover Township.

Each project is still in the design phase. Construction is expected to take begin this fall or next spring and take approximately four months at each site. No detours are expected to be necessary during construction on three of the projects, although a detour will be necessary on Harrison School Road.

A digital version of the plans for each project will be available to view online through April 16. Plans for each, along with an interactive comment form, can be found by visiting the PennDOT District 8 website and selecting the appropriate rehabilitation project listing under District 8 projects.

The plans are on display to introduce the projects, give the public an opportunity to review the plans, and receive questions or concerns. Project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. Anyone who needs translation/interpretation services or has special needs or concerns that require individual attention should contact project manager Ryan Shoemaker at 717-775-8638 or ryshoemake@pa.gov.

Here’s a breakdown of each project:

Route 22 bridge over Reeds Creek

This project involves rehabilitation of the structure including repairs to the existing headwalls and minor roadway repairs. The estimated project cost is $150,000.

Within the project area, Route 22 consists of four lanes of traffic and two left turn lanes. The horizontal and vertical geometries of the roadway will not be changed. The project is located in a rural setting on level terrain and is surrounded predominantly by wooded areas and agricultural properties. The roadway within project limits has a posted speed limit of 55 mph and an average daily traffic volume of 9,397 vehicles.

The existing structure was built in 1946 and is a single-span reinforced concrete closed spandrel arch under fill. The bridge length is 40 feet.

Route 422 bridge over Owl Creek

This project involves superstructure rehabilitation including scarification of the existing deck, installation of polyester polymer concrete overlay, mechanical texturing of deck, and painting of pavement markings. The estimated project cost is $350,000.

Within the project area, Route 422 is a three-lane roadway including a lane in each direction and a two-way turning lane. The horizontal geometry of the roadway will not be changed, and the vertical geometry may be increased slightly. The project is located on flat terrain in an urban setting, surrounded by agricultural lands and several business properties. The roadway within the project limits has a posted speed limit of 55 mph and an average daily traffic volume of approximately 10,000 vehicles.

The existing structure was built in 2022 with single-span prestressed concrete spread box beams. The bridge length is 42 feet.

Route 934 bridge over Quittapahilla Creek

This project involves superstructure rehabilitation including painting of the existing beam ends and installation of surface mounted galvanic anodes at the existing beam ends to prevent further corrosion. The estimated project cost is $250,000.

Within the project area, Route 934 is a two-lane roadway through a residential neighborhood on rolling terrain. The horizontal and vertical geometries of the roadway will not be changed. The roadway within the project limits has a posted speed limit of 25 mph and an average daily traffic volume of 7,736 vehicles.

The existing structure was built in 1954 and is a two-span steel beam bridge on cast-in-place concrete abutments and pier. The bridge length is 90 feet.

Route 4017 bridge over Interstate 81

This project involves rehabilitation activities including the replacement of the deck joints with strip seal dams and substructure concrete repairs. The estimated project cost is $500,000.

A detour will be necessary during this project, utilizing Harrison School, Mountain, Pleasant View, and Jonestown roads and Allentown Boulevard.

Within the project area, Route 4017 is a two-lane roadway in a predominately rural setting on rolling terrain. The horizontal and vertical geometries of the roadway will not be changed. The land surrounding the roadway is predominantly wooded, agricultural, and residential. The roadway within the project limits has a posted speed limit of 35 mph and an average daily traffic volume of 1,371 vehicles.

The existing structure was built in 1967 with five-span prestressed concrete spread box beams on stub abutments and multi-column pier bents. The bridge length is 292 feet.