Q. Where can I get information on the Center Street Bridge replacement project that is underway in Parryville?
A. The Center Street Bridge over the Pohopoco Creek in Parryville is not part of the Turnpike's Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creed bridges project. The Center Street structure is being replaced by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. PennDOT began the $1.7 million project in March 2009 and expects it to be completed in November 2009. They are replacing the old steel bridge with a pre-stressed concrete box beam structure. For more information go to PennDOT.
Q. Will this project affect the recreational use of the Lehigh River?
A. Recreational use of the Lehigh River will be minimally affected by the project to replace the two Turnpike bridges. Temporary rock causeways will extend into the river from both banks to provide a platform for construction of the piers for the new bridges, but the river’s channel will remain open at all times.
Q. What is being done to ensure the safety of users of the river and creek during construction?
A. Signs will be placed upstream and downstream of both waterways to alert boaters that they are approaching a construction area. Protective shielding will be installed underneath the entire length of the superstructures as construction progresses to protect the environment and visitors using the waterways for recreation.
Q. What is being done to ensure the viability of aquatic life and other natural resources during construction of this magnitude?
A. Numerous environmental controls, required under permits issued by the US Army Core of Engineers and state agencies, are in place and under continuous monitoring. These controls, which range from construction of retention ponds and replacement wetlands, to installation of embankment netting and silt fences, ensure that excess storm water runoff and siltation of the waterways are avoided.
Q. Who monitors these environmental controls?
A. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s general contractor, Walsh Construction Company, inspects all of the environmental controls, as well as the project’s safety measures and traffic control daily and makes any necessary repairs, adjustments and corrections immediately. The project’s construction management, Urban Engineers, Inc., along with Turnpike Inspectors, oversee the daily monitoring of the job site. Carbon County Conservation District staff has worked closely with the project team since the design process began and continues to monitor the site for compliance with all federal, state and local environmental requirements.
Q. How will this project affect my travel on the Turnpike?
A. Much of the work to replace the bridges over the Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creek will be done off-line, with the new bridges being built adjacent to the existing structures as they remain open to traffic. However, there will be occasional lane restrictions during excavation of a rock wall on the east side of the Turnpike near the Mahoning Valley Exit (#74) in 2009. Also, you may experience lane restrictions in 2011 when the new bridges are tied-in to the Turnpike.
Q. How will I know when these lane restrictions occur?
A. We will issue travel advisories and news releases in advance of all scheduled lane restrictions.
Q. Where will I find this information on scheduled lane restrictions?
A. You can have all our project news, advisories and alerts sent directly to you by signing up at the Subscribe section of the website. You also may sign up for travel alerts anywhere on the system by subscribing to the Turnpike Roadway Information System.
Q. How may I inquire about jobs that may be available on this project?
A. This project is being built by a general construction company under contract to the Turnpike. As such, all employment inquires should be made to Walsh Construction, 700 Lehigh Street, Palmerton, PA 18071.
Q. Will the Turnpike being widened in this area, as is being done elsewhere along the Northeast Extension and the East-West Turnpike?
A. The Turnpike just completed widening between King of Prussia (Exit #326) and Norristown (Exit #333), and is replacing bridges in the first phase of widening on the Northeast Extension between the Mid County Interchange (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31). Long range plans call for additional widening projects as funding permits.