PA Turnpike Celebrates New Hawk Falls Bridge, $88M Bridge Replacement Project in Carbon County

PA Turnpike Celebrates New Hawk Falls Bridge, $88M Bridge Replacement Project in Carbon County

CARBON COUNTY, PA — Today, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) officially cut the ribbon on its new Hawk Falls Bridge. The $88 million bridge replacement project enhances safety and mobility for the area, while improving the overall functionality of the bridge at milepost 88.59 on the Northeast Extension.

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves a safe and reliable transportation network and that includes modernized bridges, like Hawk Falls, that improve access and traffic flow, helping motorists arrive at destinations safely and quickly,” said Michael Carroll, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PA Secretary of Transportation. “Addressing aging infrastructure is one of Pennsylvania’s top priorities, and I’m proud to say the Commonwealth’s repaired more bridges than any other state in the nation in 2023.”

The new bridge supports two lanes of traffic in each direction and increases shoulder and median width to support safer travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a crucial improvement as passenger and commercial traffic volumes in this area are higher than pre-pandemic numbers, now averaging more than 24,000 vehicles per day. The new bridge reduces long-term maintenance needs and improves longevity through using weathering steel and eliminating expansion joints.

“The opening of the new Hawk Falls Bridge shows that even after 85 years, we’re still leading the way in providing safe and convenient travel to our customers throughout our beautiful Commonwealth,” said Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “By enhancing one of its most critical transportation corridors and improving travel reliability for commuters and commercial drivers, we’re driving home the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s mission to provide a safe and reliable roadway system that supports mobility and national commerce.”

Standing nearly 200 feet above water and surrounded by Hickory Run State Park’s natural beauty, the new steel deck arch bridge replaces the existing steel deck truss bridge and extends 720 feet across Mud Run Gorge. Its 465-foot main span is supported by three arches. To ease future inspections, the new structure’s arch ribs contain nearly 8 miles of wiring, are fully lit and connected to electric and ventilation systems.

“The Hawk Falls Bridge’s uniquely tailored design and construction choices merge environmental, aesthetic and long-term operational needs,” said Brad Heigel, PA Turnpike Chief Engineer. “Not only will the bridge enhance the natural beauty of Hickory Run State Park, it will also allow drivers and local first responders more room and places to pull over during emergencies, supporting safer travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.”

Modjeski and Masters – the 1950s-era bridge’s original designers – established a distinctive engineering legacy by serving as the replacement project’s primary designers.

“Working with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to upgrade the Hawk Falls crossing with a bridge well tailored to the setting that will serve customers for generations to come has been an honor for Modjeski and Masters and the entire design team,” said Thomas P. Murphy, Senior Vice President at Modjeski and Masters. “The PA Turnpike’s strong project leadership and uncommonly skilled staff led to a great project partnership and a very successful outcome.”

Construction on the new Hawk Falls Bridge Project began in 2022. In addition to fully replacing the Hawk Falls Bridge, the project also reconstructed the nearby Hickory Run Road Bridge in Penn Forest and Kidder Townships, Carbon County. Trumbull served as its construction contractor on the project.

“Trumbull is honored to be part of a project that means so much to the surrounding community," said Tim O'Brien, Co-CEO for Trumbull Corp. "The Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement is more than just infrastructure. It’s a lasting connection that people will experience and appreciate every day, and we take great pride in helping bring that vision to life.”

STV is overseeing the demolition and construction activities on the site.

“STV is happy to have been a part of this project,” said Terry Davies, Resident Engineer with STV. “The bridge will be an asset to the Commission and a point of interest for Hickory Run State Park for years to come.”

The new 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 large cranes used to construct the arches were delivered in parts and assembled on site. Each crane took approximately 70 tractor-trailer loads to deliver.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and its project partners recently received the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award for the Hawk Falls Bridge, honoring outstanding engineering projects that contribute to improving safety, quality of life and community connections across various sectors.

Traffic officially switched onto the new structure in May. Next month, the team will work to demolish the old structure, with project completion occurring this fall.

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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MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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