Design & Construction Details
Bridge Replacement Project
Northeastern Extension Milepost A-88.59
Bridge Replacement Project
Northeastern Extension Milepost A-88.59
Winter 2024 – The Turnpike made progress last fall in erecting segments of the three arches, key features of the new 720-foot-long Hawk Falls Bridge over Mud Run in Penn Forest and Kidder townships in Carbon County.
On both the northern and southern ends of the bridge, five of the six arch bases have been connected to the large concrete foundations constructed on the hillsides. When the final arch is attached to the northern end, work crews will begin installing the center pieces of the arches, completing the support system of the unique structure.
The arch ribs directly support columns that carry the deck system, which will be comprised of floor beams, girders, and a reinforced concrete deck.
The contractor plans to have the bridge and approach roadways ready for traffic by mid-2024 when northbound vehicles will be shifted onto the new bridge while the contractor continues to work on the southbound half of the adjacent bridge over Hickory Run Road (Route 534). All traffic is expected to be using the new bridge in 2025. Demolition of the existing bridge will then follow.
The new bridge will be four lanes wide with 6-foot medians and 12-foot shoulders. It will replace the existing 738-foot-long truss bridge that is nearing the end of its design service life and is considered functionally obsolete due to a lack of shoulders.
The new bridge over Hickory Run Road (Route 534) will replace the existing three-span bridge with a one-span structure, providing a more open feel for travelers on the surface road below.
The entire project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2026.