Port Allegany, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that preliminary work to replace a bridge on Route 155 in Liberty Township, McKean County, will begin tomorrow. The bridge spans Birch Run approximately two miles southeast of Turtlepoint. Replacing the bridge will allow PennDOT to remove it from McKean County’s list of bridges in poor condition.
The contractor will have survey crews in the area tomorrow and intends to begin roadway widening and installation of temporary traffic signals on Monday, June 10. The signals will be set to flash mode beginning Wednesday, June 12, before becoming fully operational on Monday, June 17. Drivers may encounter flaggers in the roadway enforcing an alternating traffic pattern prior to the signals being activated.
Once the signals are fully operational, the northbound lane of Route 155 will be closed between Route 6 and Route 446. The bridge will then be replaced using half-width phasing. PennDOT will issue an update on the project prior to work beginning on the southbound lane.
PennDOT reminds drivers to be cautious in work zones, follow official detour signs, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.
The overall project will replace the existing structure with a precast box culvert, improve ride quality and extend the life of the roadway surface from Port Allegany Borough to Eldred. Activity includes roadway widening, drainage improvements, roadway overlay, guide rail replacement, tree trimming for daylighting, pavement markings, new signage, and miscellaneous construction.
Francis J. Palo, Inc. of Clarion is the contractor on this $796,000 job. PennDOT expects to complete the project by late August. All work is weather and schedule dependent.
The existing 17-foot bridge was built in 1924 and carries an average of nearly 3,000 vehicles per day.
