LUZERNE, SUSQUEHANNA, AND WAYNE COUNTIES (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll made a stop in Sweet Valley today, highlighting the reopening of three bridges ahead of schedule.
Secretary Carroll's visit focused on improvements made in Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wayne counties after extensive rainfall and flooding in northeastern Pennsylvania in mid-July.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll held a news conference on the side of the road in Ross Township, Luzerne County.
The conference highlighted the repairs made in PennDOT District four, including where the conference was held.
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"During the rain event, the existing stone masonry arch was severely damaged. Due to the extensive damage of the structure, a full replacement was required. They removed the existing stone masonry arch and installed two temporary five-foot diameter pipes," said Lonell Tomaine, assistant district executive maintenance at PennDOT.
PennDOT assistant district executive for maintenance Lonell Tomaine says the district, which includes those three counties and three more, experienced upwards of six and a half inches of rain.
PennDOT staff immediately assessed the damage and determined where repairs were needed.
A bridge on Route 1037 over a tributary to Dubois Creek in Great Bend, Susquehanna County, and Route 191 over Butternut Creek in Sterling Township, Wayne County.
Photos from PennDOT show the before and after of the replacement of Route 4028 over Huntington Creek in Ross Township, Luzerne County.
The repairs to Route 4028 weren't terribly extensive, but the closure forced drivers to take a seven-mile detour.
"Whenever there's a severing of a roadway, whether it's a state road or a township road, it results in inconvenience. You have to consider the possibility of school bus routes that are in play, emergency responders. The totality of what happens in a community is directly impacted from the loss of a bridge like this one," explained Carroll.
The Route 1037 bridge was reopened on July 24, 10 days ahead of schedule.Route 4028 over Huntington Creek was reopened on August 7, a week ahead of schedule.And Route 191 over Butternut Creek reopened on August 29, a week ahead of schedule.
According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania has more than 25,000 state-owned bridges. The three bridges discussed today carry more than 2,500 vehicles a day.
