PA Turnpike Begins Phased Demolition of Old Hawk Falls Bridge Structure in Carbon County

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission carefully conducted a controlled demolition of the largest center span of the old Hawk Falls Bridge

QUICK SUMMARY:

• The PA Turnpike successfully demolished the center span of the old Hawk Falls Bridge in Carbon County as part of an $88 million replacement project.
• Crews strategically separated the steel truss at five locations, allowing it to fall 150–220 feet into Mud Run Gorge. Traffic was temporarily stopped and resumed within minutes.
• The new 720-foot bridge opened in May 2026, featuring wider shoulders, improved safety and reduced long-term maintenance needs.
• The bridge replacement, which began in 2022, received national recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies for engineering excellence.
• Crews will continue removing the remaining sections of the old bridge and its piers through late October and early November, advancing the PA Turnpike's commitment to modernizing infrastructure.

CARBON COUNTY, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) reached a major milestone after a carefully controlled demolition brought down the largest center span of the old Hawk Falls Bridge, marking a significant step toward completing the $88 million bridge replacement project.

“Safely bringing down a nearly one-million-pound section of bridge in this challenging terrain is an impressive accomplishment and requires extensive planning and coordination,” said Brad Heigel, Chief Engineer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “Kudos to our team and project partners on their work, one which brings us one step closer to completing a project that will serve the region for decades to come.”

The demolition occurred Wednesday and was the culmination of a highly controlled and methodical process that began after traffic moved onto the new Hawk Falls Bridge in May. Contractors first removed the old bridge deck bay by bay from south to north, followed by its steel stringers. Crews then prepared specific sections of the truss for the controlled demolition, secured the surrounding project area and monitored the new bridge throughout the operation. PA Turnpike traffic was temporarily stopped as an added safety precaution and resumed within minutes after the area was cleared for travel.

Due to the size of the old structure, limited access within the steep Mud Run Gorge and the complexity of dismantling the truss piece by piece while maintaining its stability, controlled demolition of the former Hawk Falls Bridge structure was selected as the safest and most efficient method. Crews strategically separated the steel truss at five locations, allowing it to fall approximately 150 to 220 feet into a predetermined area below for removal. Throughout the operation, the new Hawk Falls Bridge structure was monitored for safety. Crews will continue working on the remaining parts of the old bridge and its piers through late October and early November.

The demolition is part of the Hawk Falls Bridge Project, which replaces a 1950s-era structure at milepost 88.59 on the Northeast Extension with a modern bridge designed to enhance safety, mobility and long-term reliability. The new 720-foot steel deck arch bridge stands nearly 200 feet above Mud Run Gorge and carries two lanes of traffic in each direction with wider shoulders and median space – a critical improvement along a stretch of the PA Turnpike that averages more than 24,000 vehicles daily. Weathering steel and the elimination of expansion joints will also reduce long-term maintenance needs and extend the life of the structure.

Construction began in 2022 and included replacement of the nearby Hickory Run Road Bridge in Penn Forest and Kidder townships. The new Hawk Falls Bridge was constructed using 3,304 tons of structural steel, 4,800 cubic yards of concrete and more than 1.1 million pounds of rebar. The project was recently recognized with an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award for engineering excellence.

This bridge replacement is one of more than 40 active projects occurring across the Pennsylvania Turnpike system this construction season, all aimed at improving infrastructure and the overall experience for travelers. During the 2025 season, the Pennsylvania Turnpike reinvested more than $737 million from toll dollars into maintenance and modernization projects that improve mobility, safety and access on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

This roadwork is critical to delivering on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike)'s mission of operating a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. Since 2024, the PA Turnpike has supported more than $1 billion in construction bids to modernize, maintain or improve customer experience. Key projects include the completion of the Open Road Tolling facilities across the system, a record-high 27 miles of total reconstruction, and replacing key bridges at Beaver River and Hawk Falls. Resources and information on planned construction projects can be found at Traveling on the PA Turnpike | PA Turnpike.

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FAQ

1. Why was the old Hawk Falls Bridge demolished?

The original bridge, built in the 1950s, was replaced as part of an $88 million project to improve safety, mobility and long-term reliability. Controlled demolition was determined to be the safest and most efficient way to remove the old structure because of its size and the challenging terrain of Mud Run Gorge.

2. How was the old bridge demolished?

Crews strategically separated the steel truss at five locations, allowing the nearly 1-million-pound center span to fall approximately 150 to 220 feet into a predetermined area below. The operation required extensive planning, preparation and safety monitoring.

3. Was traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike impacted by the demolition?

Yes, but only briefly. Traffic was temporarily stopped on the Northeast Extension as a safety precaution and resumed within minutes after the area was cleared. The new Hawk Falls Bridge was monitored throughout the demolition to ensure its safety.

4. Is the new Hawk Falls Bridge already open to traffic?

Yes. The new bridge opened in May 2026. The 720-foot-long structure carries two lanes of traffic in each direction and features wider shoulders and additional median space, improving travel for the more than 24,000 vehicles that use this stretch of the Turnpike daily.

5. How much did the bridge replacement cost, and what are the benefits?

The overall project represents an $88 million investment. The new bridge provides improved safety, reliability and mobility. Its weathering steel construction and elimination of expansion joints will also reduce long-term maintenance needs and help extend the structure's lifespan.

6. When will demolition and cleanup of the old bridge be completed?

Crews will continue removing the remaining sections of the old bridge and its piers through late October and early November 2026. This work represents one of the final major phases of the bridge replacement project, although the release does not specify an overall project completion date.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: 267-408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com

Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: 717-870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com