On behalf of Governor Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced work will begin May 6 to replace and rehabilitate two structurally deficient bridges in Berks County. The bridges are the River Road Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad in Amity Township and the River Road Bridge over the Schuylkill River in Amity and Union townships.
From May 6 until work is complete on both bridges, River Road will be closed and detoured between US 422 and PA 724, local access will be maintained. The posted detour will route traffic on US 422 and PA 724. Motorists are advised to allow for extra time and use caution when traveling through the area.
Work will begin May 6 to replace the bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad. Additional work includes constructing new roadway approaches, new sidewalks, and a retaining wall with a sidewalk to accommodate access to the Thun Trail.
Once work is completed on the bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad, the contractor will begin rehabilitating the bridge over the Schuylkill River. This will includes replacing the superstructure (deck and beams), reconstructing roadway approaches, and other miscellaneous construction.
All work is expected to be complete in July 2015. All schedules are weather dependent.
J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Pa. is the general contractor on the $8,372,422 project to replace both bridges.
The River Road Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad is a four-span steel girder bridge that was constructed in 1922. It is 247 feet long and 25 wide. The new bridge will be a 164 feet long, 42 feet four inches wide, two span concrete box-beam bridge.
The River Road Bridge over the Schuylkill River is a six-span steel I-beam bridge that was constructed in 1951. It is 615 feet long and 34 feet wide.
River Road has an average daily traffic volume of 4,576 vehicles.
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