Plans displayed online for bridge replacement over Route 30 in Hempfield

PennDOT is proposing to replace a bridge in Hempfield that dates from the 1960 opening of the Route 30 bypass around Greensburg.

Because of social distancing guidelines related to the covid-19 pandemic, plans for the East Pittsburgh Street bridge project won’t be displayed in the usual in-person open house format.

Instead, the plans may be viewed online beginning Friday by visiting PennDOT.gov/District12, clicking on the Public Meetings link, selecting the Westmoreland County box and then choosing the project description — “S.R. 3030 over S.R. 30.”

The bridge carries traffic headed east on Pittsburgh Street over Route 30 before merging with the Route 30 eastbound lanes near Westmoreland Mall. The connecting span has gained an increasing number of pothole patches in recent years.

The virtual plans display includes a project presentation, a location map and a comment form.

It will be available until Friday, Sept. 25. It will provide an opportunity for citizens to comment on the project and note any potential effect on cultural resources.

Questions or feedback concerning the bridge replacement should be directed to Joshua J. Zakovitch, PennDOT’s project manager, at jzakovitch@pa.gov or 724-439-7377.

The project is is slated for completion over two seasons, beginning in June 2022, according to Jay Ofsanik, acting press officer for PennDOT District 12.

He said the new bridge — a pre-stressed concrete box beam structure — will be installed in a new alignment, so no detour will be required for East Pittsburgh traffic.

“There will be stoppages for vehicles driving on (Route 30) when beams are placed or removed,” he said.