HOWE TWP., Pa. — Work will begin soon to replace the 80-year old bridge that carries Blue Jay Road (SR 1003) over Blue Jay Creek in Howe Township, Forest County.
The 48-foot bridge is located on Blue Jay Road between the intersection with Rock Hanger Road and the intersection with Watson Farm Road (SR 1005).
Work will include replacement of the bridge, new roadway approaches, and updated guide rails.
The work is slated to begin June 18, 2018.
The current bridge was built in 1938. It is listed as structurally deficient and has a posted weight limit. It is used by about 700 vehicles a day, on average.
The contractor is C.H. & D. Enterprises, Inc. of New Stanton, PA. The contract cost is $862,714, which is to be paid entirely with state funds.
This project is made possible by Act 89, Pennsylvania’s transportation funding plan.
The bridge is scheduled to close to traffic on June 18, 2018. A detour will be posted using Route 66, Route 948, and Route 666.
The project is expected to be completed and the roadway reopened in September 2018.
PennDOT urges motorists to slow down when driving in work zones, and also to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions and to pay attention to signs and flaggers. Drive responsibly in work zones for your safety and the safety of the workers.
For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 825 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Follow local PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAErie.
