Work to begin on "Mady's" bridge project

Construction begins Thursday on the “Mady’s” bridges in Pottsville and Palo Alto.

The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that work will start to replace the structurally deficient bridges on Route 61.

The first bridge is over the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad in Pottsville and Palo Alto, while the second is over the Schuylkill River in Pottsville. The project also includes bridge and roadway approach work on Route 61 in North Manheim Township.

Contractors will start trimming and removing trees on Route 61 southbound during the day Thursday and Friday and drivers will see lane restrictions.

In about four to six weeks, utility lines will be relocated before the major bridge construction begins.
Drivers should expect possible traffic restrictions on Route 61 north and south and are advised to allow for extra time and use caution when traveling through the area. Construction will take place between Bacon and Mauch Chunk streets.

There will be a long-term lane restriction on Route 61 south during the demolition and construction of both bridges while both lanes on Route 61 north will remain open for the majority of the time. A temporary traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection of Route 61 and Bacon Street and will be removed upon completion of the project.

Updates will be provided as traffic patterns change in the construction areas.

Scheduled work includes replacing both bridges, reconstructing roadway approaches, installing new guiderails and painting lines.

Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., State College, is the general contractor on the $10,568,416 project to replace both bridges, which is expected to be complete in August 2017.

The old bridge over the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad is a four-span concrete encased steel I-beam bridge that was constructed in 1950. It is 314 feet long and 64 feet wide. The new bridge will be a 210-foot long, 63-foot and 10-inch wide, two-span concrete bulb-tee beam bridge.

The old bridge over the Schuylkill River is a single span steel I-beam bridge that was constructed in 1950. It is 79 feet long and 62 feet wide. The new bridge will be a 100-feet long, 62-feet and 6-inch wide, single-span concrete bulb-tee beam bridge.

For more local roadwork information, follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown.