STATE COLLEGE – On Friday, PennDOT lowered the weight limit on a Huston Township bridge to 30 tons for single vehicles and 34 tons for combination vehicles. The bridge spans Williams Run on Route 3021 (Steele Hollow Road) about three miles north of Martha’s Furnace in Centre County.
The bridge had previously been posted for 33 and 38 tons. Vehicles exceeding the new weight limits must use an alternate route.
Reducing the weight traveling on this bridge will slow its deterioration and preserve safety while funding for repairs remains uncertain.
Last month, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch authorized the transportation department to add or increase weight restrictions to about 1,000 structurally deficient bridges statewide. PennDOT must take this step because of legislative inaction this past June on transportation funding, leaving the department’s future resources in question.
The Martha Furnace Bridge was built in 1936; is 16 feet long and carries an average of just under 300 vehicles per day. The new posting will remain in place until repairs or replacement can occur.
To view the bridges with new or lowered weight restrictions or to learn more about bridge weight restrictions and PennDOT’s bridge-inspection program, visit the PennDOT homepage at www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “Bridge Information.”
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