PennDOT and Westmoreland County officials on April 4 will present plans for replacing the county-owned Ligonier Street bridge over the Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe.
A public open house meeting, including a display of project plans and a detour for southbound traffic, is set for 5-6:30 p.m. in the city municipal building, 901 Jefferson St. Project representatives will be available to answer questions and accept comments.
Consultant Markosky Engineering of Ligonier Township is completing preliminary design work on the project. Construction is expected to take place in 2021.
Built in 1935, the three-span bridge stretches about 175 feet across the creek and is commonly referred to as the Brewery Bridge because of its proximity to City Brewing Co.
Since 2013, the bridge has had a weight restriction of 35 tons (40 tons for combination trucks.) No restrictions will be necessary once the replacement is complete, county engineer Vaughn Neill said.
The project will “extend the service life of the bridge and improve the safety features at the site,” he said.
The bridge’s superstructure of beams, deck and parapets was reconstructed in 1974 and will be replaced, along with sidewalks on the bridge.
Workers will rehabilitate the reinforced concrete abutments and support piers while completing drainage improvements and minor reconstruction of the roadway approaches.
Neill explained one lane of the bridge will be reconstructed at a time so that northbound traffic and pedestrian access can be maintained throughout the project.
The detour for southbound vehicles will be a 2-mile route following West Second Avenue, Garfield Road, Unity Street, Lloyd Avenue and Main Street.
Neill was unable to provide a cost estimate for the project but noted 80 percent of the bill should be covered by federal funds, with the county picking up the remaining share.
