Bridge preservation on Wexford Run Road to finish soon

The bridge preservation project on Wexford Run Road in Marshall Township is finally nearing completion, with officials naming a Oct. 9 deadline.

“We have some weather-dependent work to do in the next couple of weeks. If the weather and material deliveries happen as planned, we will open to traffic on time,” said Mark Giardina, a project manager for PennDOT District 11.

The $2.395 million preservation project on the bridge began in the summer, causing closures on that road early June.

“Once we open there will be times that we need to use a single lane alternating traffic pattern to complete some work activities,” he said.

Work on the bridge included a deck overlay and repairs, bridge painting, roadway approach repair and replacement, expansion dam and bearing replacement, approach guide rail and barrier transitions, drainage improvements and miscellaneous work.

Short-term lane restrictions occurred on I-79 under the bridge. A full closure of the bridge for more than 100 days required traffic on Wexford Run Road to be detoured.

“The Wexford Run Road closure has been a minor inconvenience to the traveling public, but most understand the closure is necessary for the long term safety of the bridge. Marshall Township is pleased PennDOT is making this investment in our community infrastructure,” said Julie Bastiani, manager for Marshall Township.

PennDOT’s bridge conditions interactive online map lists overall condition of the state-owned bridge as fair. Bridges are labeled as good, fair or poor.

The site is located on the same road and in close proximity to the entrances of both the North Allegheny School District’s Marshall campus and Covenant Community Church.

“The detour on this project worked very well and continues to do so. The school and local residents and nearby church that have borne the brunt of the burden have been patient and accommodating,” Giardina. “We are grateful to them, and Mosities Contracting and PennDOT are working diligently to finish this work safely, timely, and with good quality. We thank all motorists through this area for your patience.”