“The new bridge carrying Pennsylvania Avenue…over [the] Sandy Run in Springfield Township…[has opened] to traffic,” according to a statement issued by Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners.  “This bridge was replaced as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement Project.”

According to Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, “The Pennsylvania Avenue bridge averages…[more than] 12,800 daily vehicles. The new single-span box beam bridge is longer and wider than the single-span concrete, T-beam bridge it replaced and is designed with a 100-year lifespan.”

The construction is not yet completed for this bridge in Oreland;  it will be complete after an overlay surface is applied to bridge deck, according to Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners.

“Motorists may notice a slight bump as they drive across the bridge until a polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlay is applied to the deck,” explained Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners in the statement.  “This is often the final step in completing box beam bridge projects.  The PPC overlay is designed to protect the deck from the wear and tear brought about by Pennsylvania’s harsh winters and reduce the long-term maintenance costs.”

“The polyester material can only be applied when temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees, dry weather is forecasted, and after the bridge concrete has cured for at least 30 days,” the statement continued. “An alternating traffic pattern controlled by flaggers will be used to maintain traffic through the project area when the PPC overlay and final paving is applied in Spring [of] 2019.”

If you’d like to find out when the PPC overlay will be applied to this bridge, click here.  “In the event of unfavorable weather, this schedule may change,” noted Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners in the statement. “Any such changes will be posted on the website.”

 The photograph is provided courtesy of Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, 2019.