Poor-rated Irwin bridge slated to be replaced in 2023

A 57-year-old Irwin bridge rated in poor condition by the state is to be inspected every six months — or more frequently, if needed — but is not scheduled to be replaced until next year, according to state and local officials.

The 20-foot-long Fairwood Drive bridge, which connects the Villages of Easton apartment complex with Route 30, is in the final phase of being designed. Bids are scheduled to be solicited in January 2023, said Melissa Maczko, a regional PennDOT spokeswoman. Construction is expected to begin next spring, Maczko said.

“It’s being watched, especially after the event (bridge collapse) at Frick Park” in Pittsburgh, said Shari Martino, Irwin borough manager.

If an inspection reveals additional deterioration, Martino said the borough could request a more-frequent inspection from PennDOT’s contracted bridge inspector to ensure safety, Martino said.

The western piece of the wing wall — the slanted piece of concrete that supports a beam holding the bridge deck and helping to prevent erosion of the stream bank — has deteriorated. The bridge spans the east branch of Tinker’s Run, which is piped underneath Route 30 and flows along Irwin Park.

There is no weight limit on the bridge, which is considered safe for firetrucks to use, Martino said.

The bridge was built in 1965 using steel beams from an older demolished structure, according to a report prepared more than a year ago by Bove Engineering of Youngwood. The exterior beams on both sides were replaced in 2004 because of deterioration.

That report projected construction on a 24-foot-long, pre-cast concrete bridge would begin this summer or fall, and be completed by the fall or winter. The bridge would have 5-foot shoulders on each side to allow for pedestrian use. During construction, there would be a 2-mile detour using Irwin-Hahntown Road and Laurel Drive in North Huntingdon.

The project is estimated to cost $1.7 million, Martino said. Under the funding formula, the federal highway administration will pay 85%, PennDOT pays 10% and the local share is 5%. The borough will tap into its captial reserve fund to cover the cost of the local share.

With the federal funding involved in the bridge replacement, the rules for the job “intensify by 1,000,” Martino said.

The borough also owns a bridge on Caruthers Lane, between Norwin Public Library and Route 30, which is rated in good condition and is scheduled to be inspected annually, Martino said. The borough owns the Colony Drive bridge, which is not on the state list because of its short length, Martino said. Gibson-Thomas Engineering of Latrobe, the borough’s engineer, conducts those inspections, Martino said.

A bridge spanning Tinker’s Run by the borough’s public works building on First Street, has been closed for many years because it is structurally deficient. The Irwin-owned bridge connected First Street with North Huntingdon. At this time, the borough does not have plans to replace it, and would need an agreement with North Huntingdon to proceed.