Last month, while our bridge inspection consultant was performing their twice-annual inspection of the California Avenue bridge, they identified an isolated area of advanced deterioration in the concrete deck that requires limiting traffic on it. In response, we have shifted lanes and installed jersey barriers to ensure the bridge can continue to operate safely for all vehicular traffic. We expect this configuration to remain in place until the time of the complete bridge rehabilitation project which is currently about halfway through the design and engineering process. During the rehabilitation project, the steel truss will be repaired and repainted and the entire concrete deck will be replaced, among a number of other improvements for safety, usability, and ease of maintenance.

The City’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) works closely with the bridge inspection consultant and PennDOT to identify issues proactively and implement repairs or temporary measures appropriate to the situation. In light of this recent finding of advanced deterioration along the eastern gutter line of span 7, we have evaluated the condition of the support beams, deck forms, barriers, and the roadway surface across the entire bridge for any other locations that may warrant similar restrictions now or in the near future. While we have concluded that there are no other areas that require a restriction, the bridge will remain on an elevated six-month inspection frequency, and our crews will continue to address maintenance concerns until the bridge rehabilitation can begin.

The safety for everyone who cross above or below the bridge is our highest priority, and as such DOMI project managers have diligently ensured this project has kept on schedule as we negotiate through the contracting, permitting, engineering, geotechnical studies, coordination with utilities, transit agencies, and essential City services, to deliver an efficient and economical project.