PennDOT announces delay in reopening Flemington Bridge
LOCK HAVEN – PennDOT announced Wednesday it will not reach its goal of reopening one lane of the Flemington Bridge before Central Mountain High School resumes classes for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 30. In its release, PennDOT acknowledged the inconvenience the extension of the detour causes the community and thanks everyone for their continued patience.
PennDOT anticipated opening one lane of the bridge by the end of August but found while working on the 90-year-old structure that more bridge connections needed to be updated than determined by the initial inspection. The design and procurement of the materials for the additional repairs contributed to these delays. However, PennDOT expects addressing them now will improve the overall condition of the bridge enough for it to remain open for approximately two more decades.
PennDOT has contacted Central Mountain High School administrators, and they have developed alternate bus routes around the detours and are prepared to start the school year with the bridge closed to traffic.
There are two detours in effect for this project. The motor vehicle detour uses Route 150, Route 2015, Route 220, and Route 120. The bicycle detour uses Township Road 366 (Irwin Street/Canal Street/Fairpoint Road).
PennDOT will place temporary traffic signals at each end of the bridge when it reopens the structure to one lane. They will enforce an alternating traffic pattern where drivers take turns crossing the bridge via the open lane.
