Bridges replaced as part of Public-Private Partnership
GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP ? Two Clearfield County bridges on Route 219 in Greenwood Township opened to full traffic Nov. 15.
They were each replaced as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation?s (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. Replacement of the bridges will remove them from PennDOT?s list of bridges in ?poor? condition.
The bridges are close to each other with one (JV-39) spanning Poplar Run near the village of Bells Landing and the other (JV-40) spanning Bell Run also near the village of Bells Landing.
Traffic control during construction featured an alternating traffic pattern controlled by temporary traffic signals that allowed drivers to cross both bridges in the same signal cycle. With the bridges now fully open, the signals have been de-activated and will be removed.
On the JV-40/Bell Run Bridge, motorists may notice a slight bump as they drive across the bridge until a polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlay is applied to the deck. This is often the final step in completing box beam bridge projects.
The PPC overlay is designed to protect the deck from the wear and tear brought about by Pennsylvania?s harsh winters and reduce the long-term maintenance costs.
The polyester material can only be applied when temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees, dry weather is forecasted and after the bridge concrete has cured for at least 30 days. An alternating traffic pattern will be controlled by flaggers when the PPC overlay is applied in Spring of 2018.
To find out when the overlay will be applied to this structure, visit here. In the event of unfavorable weather, this schedule may change. Any such changes will be posted on the Web site.
The new crossings are longer and wider than the ones they replaced and are designed with a 100-year lifespan. Replacement work was performed by Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. of State College.
These bridges are two of the 558 bridges being replaced under the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. JV references the joint-venture partnership between Walsh/Granite, which is leading construction for the entire project.
The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is a public-private partnership (P3) between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners (PWKP), under which PWKP will finance, design, replace, and maintain the bridges for 25 years.
The P3 approach will allow PennDOT to replace the bridges more quickly while achieving significant savings and minimizing impact on motorists.
To see the bridges included in the statewide initiative and to learn more about the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project and P3 in Pennsylvania, visit www.p3forpa.pa.gov. Additional information on the project, the team, and how to bid on the project can be found at www.parapidbridges.com.