LEWISTOWN - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation presented its annual project update at the Mifflin County Planning Commission meeting Thursday afternoon.
Karen Michael, the PennDOT District 2 representative, gave a summary of all completed, in process and upcoming transportation projects in Mifflin and Juniata counties.
In the upcoming year, PennDOT plans to begin one bridge replacement, one betterment and two bridge preservation projects in Mifflin County. The preservations include 15 bridges that will be repaired in two locations in the county. In total, the plans will require $29 million and work will span into 2014, Michael said.
The bridge projects include continued construction to the "Twin Bridges" located on U.S. 322 near Reedsville. This year, work is being completed on the east-bound corridor and next year work will begin on the west-bound section, Michael said.
Repairs will also be completed on the bridges located near the Charles Street exit of U.S. 22/322 in Lewistown. Michaels said the project will cost about $20 million and the department will receive construction bids in August of next year.
Additionally, work will continue on Buck Run Bridge in Burnham and on parts of the Monument Square project. Michael said project leaders hope to have the Buck Run bridge replacement completed in mid-July of this year.
Currently, plans are also in process for improvements to Market Street in Lewistown from Monument Square to Dorcas Street, as well as the Fountain Square project located at the Five Points and on North Main Street, Michael said.
Other road and bridge improvements will include a five-mile stretch on U.S. 22/522 from McVeytown to Atkinson Mills, a box culvert project on Back Maitland Road in Decatur Township and the Tea Creek bridge located on state Route 1005 in Brown Township.
Michaels said PennDOT also plans to complete eight bridge preservations. They include Beaver Dam Run, two locations on Jack's Creek, Coffee Run, Dry Creek, Kish Creek, Wolf Run and the Juniata River.
In Juniata County, Michael said upcoming projects include bridge preservations to Willow Run on state Route 35 and Tuscarora Creek on state Route 75 and state Route 850 as well as construction work to Dougherty Run on state Route 850 and in Walker Township along state Route 3002.
Michael said construction is continuing and ahead of schedule for the Mifflin/Mifflintown borough bridge replacement. Michael said the project, which includes a repair to the railway bridge as well as construction of the new bridge and conversion of the old structure into a pedestrian bridge has faced numerous challenges, but that favorable weather has allowed construction to move forward quickly.
Michael said all projects for Mifflin and Juniata counties are on budget and that PennDOT will be working with local representatives this year to complete its bi-annual analysis of crash zones and safety concerns to implement further improvements to the counties' transportation routes.
