Traffic restrictions removed from Lane-Bane Bridge
After almost 3 1/2 years of construction, “full-time traffic restrictions” on the Lane-Bane Bridge are a thing of the past and both lanes are open to traffic. “We’ve had a complete removal of the (construction) barrels and we will have no more 24-hour, full-time traffic restrictions,” said Valerie Peterson, of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
According to Peterson, there still may be some brief daylight restrictions for approximately two weeks for minor work, but a flagman will direct the traffic.
Bill Maser, project manager, said crews are still cleaning up and conducting semifinal inspections, which could cause some brief delays over the next couple of weeks.
Maser said the approximately $19.7 million project included a total rehabilitation of the Lane-Bane Bridge, including the rebuilding of some piers and spans, extensive steel repairs, new ramps, lighting and deck.
Maser said when construction began, the Lane-Bane Bridge was experiencing “accelerated deterioration.”
“The bridge was in an advance state of disrepair. Weather and road salt rusted the steel. This was a much-needed project. The bridge is in excellent condition now. It’s just like new,” Maser said.
Maser said he is happy with the overall project in terms of timing and budget. He said, although the project is not fully completed, all the contract items are complete and were complete when the contract terms with contractor Dick Corp. ended Monday. He said the entire project will be completed this fall.
Maser said he is also pleased with the total cost of the project thus far. According to Maser, the project was budgeted at $17.9 million and so far has reached $19.7 million, which he said is well below many of the bids originally received.
But while crews finish minor work on top of the bridge, there are two “fairly large” construction operations still being completed under the bridge. Maser said those projects will not affect traffic.
According to Maser, crews are doing underwater work on the West Brownsville side of the bridge from a barge.
He said crews are placing rock around the pier footing to prevent undermining. He said additional drainage is also being added to alleviate a problem with street flooding in West Brownsville.