McElhattan Bridge set for Partial Opening Next Week

LOCK HAVEN – Work to repair a Clinton County bridge will reach a new phase next week, as PennDOT re-opens the bridge to one-lane traffic. The state-owned bridge spans the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, near McElhattan on Route 1005 (McElhattan Drive). A detour has been in place but starting Wednesday, Nov. 12, PennDOT will place temporary signals on the bridge and allow for an alternating traffic pattern.

Since late August, crews have been working to repair the bridge to keep it in service for years to come. Repairing the bridge will also remove it from Clinton County’s structurally deficient list.

Sub-structure work underneath the bridge will continue this year for as long as weather allows. The lane closure is necessary to allow sufficient space for the crane used in the sub-structure repairs as well as the scaffolding for the workers.

Originally built in 1971, the bridge is 1,224 feet long and carries an average of more than 3,700 vehicles each day. Contract work includes replacement of the bridge dams, deck repairs and sub-structure repairs.

The contractor for this $1.5 million job is Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College. All work is weather and schedule dependent.