CHESTER HILL – After working closely with local officials in Philipsburg and Chester Hill boroughs, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has determined it will remove the truss bridge spanning the Moshannon Creek along Presqueisle Street (Route 2020) in Chester Hill Borough, Clearfield County, near the Clearfield/Centre County line.
PennDOT and the municipalities reached this decision after evaluating all funding options for either a pedestrian bridge or a bridge capable of carrying motor vehicle traffic.
“We are aware that this bridge has been closed for more than four years now and thank the residents of the municipalities for their patience while we worked with the respective councils to reach a consensus on how to proceed,” said Thomas Prestash, PennDOT district executive.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the communities on both sides of the bridge to improve access and enhance safety.”
As the bridge sits within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) detailed floodplain, PennDOT must complete an assessment of what impact removing the bridge will have on that floodplain. It must also develop a utility relocation plan to address the overhead wires above the bridge.
It anticipates putting a demolition contract out for bid in 2024, and early projections show the value of that contract at more than $1 million.
In the interest of public safety, no vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian traffic is allowed on the bridge. PennDOT has erected barricades to prevent access and removed the sidewalks. It is also reviewing additional measures to eliminate unlawful pedestrian usage.
PennDOT reminds drivers and pedestrians that an official detour around the closure remains in place, which sees them follow McGuirk Street, Walton Street (Route 53) and Water Street. Those familiar with the area may choose to use alternate routes.
PennDOT closed the bridge in 2019 after an inspection showed that extensive repairs to the superstructure were necessary. The projected costs to reopen the bridge were approximately $6 Million.
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