News for Immediate Release
Aug. 28, 2013
New Weight Restrictions Coming to 39 State Bridges in Region
Dunmore—Thirty nine state-owned bridges in PennDOT District 4’s six-county region will be posted with new or lowered weight restrictions to slow the rate of deterioration of those bridges and ensure safety.
Those structures are among about 1,000 structurally deficient bridges statewide that PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch authorized for new or added weight restrictions on Thursday.
The restrictions will also apply on 48 county and locally owned bridges in the District 4 area of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
PennDOT is taking this step because legislative inaction on transportation funding left uncertain the department’s ability to repair or replace these bridges. The lower weight limits will help extend the service life of these deteriorating bridges.
The following is a list of state-owned bridges in the six-county region that will be posted in coming weeks, along with the new weight restrictions. The list includes combination loads, primarily tractor trailers, which have higher weight limits because of the difference in how their weight is distributed:
Lackawanna County
- Route 347 over Kennedy Creek in Scott Township, 28 tons, or 34 tons for combination loads.
- Route 524 over Kennedy Creek in North Abington Township, 26 tons, or 36 combination loads.
- Route 690 over Van Brunt Creek in Moscow Borough, 28 tons, or 38 tons for combination loads.
Luzerne County
- Route 115 over Shades Creek in Bear Creek Township, 35 tons, or 40 tons for combination loads.
- Route 309 over Bow Creek in Wright Township, 28 tons, or 35 tons combination loads.
- Route 437 tributary to Creasy Creek Dennison Township, 28 tons, or 34 tons for combination loads.
- Route 2035 (Suscon Road) in Bear Creek Township, 33 tons, or 40 tons for combinations loads.
- Route 3019 (Stockton Road) over Hazle Creek in Hazle Township, 35 tons, or 40 tons for combinations loads.
PennDOT will begin posting new weight limits on these bridges as soon as Aug. 29. Notifications to school-bus operators, emergency-service providers and other local officials will begin today. Posting on local bridges will take place at a later date after PennDOT discusses these changes with local bridge owners.
To view the bridges with new or lowered weight restrictions or to learn more about bridge weight restrictions and PennDOT’ s bridge-inspection program, visit the PennDOT homepage at www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “Bridge Information.”
Media contact: James May, 570-963-4044