Kedron Ave. bridge replacement project delayed until 2018

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » The replacement of the 93year old bridge on Route 420 (Kedron Avenue) over Stoney Creek, originally scheduled to begin after the July 4 holiday, has been rescheduled to June 2018.

Rory McGlasson, public information coordinator for the state’s east region of Walsh /Granite Joint Venture, said Monday that there are some constraints with the project that would be “perilously close” to the start of the school year, so the time frame for next year would be for the project to begin the day after school lets out for the summer.

At an informational meeting last December, some concerns were voiced about the effect the detours could have on school traffic but at that time a project summary put the construction time frame at about 75 days, with the bridge scheduled to close in June of this year and reopen to traffic in August.

According to information released at last year’s meeting, the Route 420 bridge is part of the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, a $899 million private partnership between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, an initiative to replace 558 structurally deficient bridges throughout the state, primarily bridges on smaller state highways, rather than interstate bridges or large river crossings.

The replacement bridge will feature a 57 foot long precast box culvert, updated guard rail and milling and overlay on the approaches on both sides of the span. The width of the new bridge will increase from 27 feet, 4 inches, to 38 feet and will include one 11 foot, 4 inch lane, one 12 foot, 5 inch lane, a 5 foot shoulder on the left, and a 2 foot, 8 inch shoulder on the right.