Rep. George: Eight County Bridges on Fast Track for Replacement or Repairs

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 Houtzdale, said eight deteriorating bridges in Clearfield County are slated for replacement or repairs over the next 12 months under provisions of the 2008-09 state budget.

“By June 30, 2009, contracts should be in place to restore eight structurally deficient bridges in the county,” George said. “Work already has begun on the Bear Run Bridge in Bell Township.”

The local bridges targeted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are:

â—� PA 879 over Susquehanna River, Karthaus Twp., preservation;

â—� SR 2022 over Clearfield Creek branch in Pike Twp., replacement;

â—� SR 3011 over Bell Run in Bell Twp., replacement;

â—� SR 1006 over I-80 in Lawrence Twp., #1, preservation;

â—� SR 1006 over I-80 in Lawrence Twp., #2, preservation;

â—� US 322 over Clearfield Creek in Lawrence Twp., preservation;

â—� US 322 over the Susquehanna River in Clearfield, preservation;

â—� SR 1012 over I-80 in Bradford Twp., preservation.

The bridge carrying PA 504 over the Black Moshannon Creek in Rush Twp., Centre County, also is scheduled for replacement. The 411 bridges in the state scheduled for upgrades in the next 12 months are available on the PennDOT Web page under the "Rebuild PA Bridges" tab at the bottom right-hand corner.

“The jump-start is a welcome development in Clearfield County, which has led the state in the percentage of structurally deficient bridges,” George said. “A $350 million bond used for the accelerated upgrades will be paid from the Motor License Fund so no tax increases are needed.”

PennDOT’s District 2 office in Clearfield already has awarded more than $36 million in contracts for projects in Clearfield County that include the Bells Landing Bridge in Greenwood Twp., $4.1 million; two SR 879 bridges - over Lick Run and the Susquehanna River -- in Lawrence Twp., $25.7 million combined; and the Bell Run Bridge, $1.6 million.

George said the $350 bond issue also will increase grants to small airports by $5 million and increase the Rail Transportation Assistance Program by $10 million.