Scootac Bridge Work Starts this Week

LOCK HAVEN – Work to replace the superstructure of the Scootac Bridge on Route 120 in Clinton County is scheduled to start late this week. When work is complete, PennDOT will remove the bridge from Clinton County’s structurally deficient list and provide area drivers with safer travel on a bridge that will remain in service for years to come. The 120-foot bridge spans Tangascootac Creek about four miles northwest of Lock Haven. It carries an average of almost 2,200 vehicles per day.

Crews this week will begin the placement of temporary traffic signals. The signals are expected to be fully operational on April 3. They will enforce an alternating traffic pattern, as work on the bridge takes place one side at time.

Francis S. Palo, Inc. of Clarion is the contactor on this $1.4 million project. Overall work includes superstructure replacement, guide rail updates, approach paving and pavement markings. All work is weather and schedule dependent.

Work is expected to last through June of 2015, with the bridge open to two-lane traffic before work stops in October of this year. In spring 2015, crews will return to place an epoxy treatment on the deck. That work will again feature lane restrictions.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 680 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available by calling 5-1-1, and regional Twitter alerts are available on the 511PA website.

Drivers are reminded to use caution through all construction zones, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.