CARBON CO., Pa. – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) officially cut the ribbon on its new Hawk Falls Bridge Tuesday.
According to a press release from PA Turnpike, the $88 million bridge replacement project enhances safety and mobility for the area, while improving the overall functionality of the bridge at milepost 88.59 on the Northeast Extension.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves a safe and reliable transportation network and that includes modernized bridges, like Hawk Falls, that improve access and traffic flow, helping motorists arrive at destinations safely and quickly,” said Michael Carroll, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PA Secretary of Transportation. “Addressing aging infrastructure is one of Pennsylvania’s top priorities, and I’m proud to say the Commonwealth’s repaired more bridges than any other state in the nation in 2023.”
Authorities say the new bridge supports two lanes of traffic in each direction and increases shoulder and median width to support safer travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a crucial improvement as passenger and commercial traffic volumes in this area are higher than pre-pandemic numbers, now averaging more than 24,000 vehicles per day. The new bridge reduces long-term maintenance needs and improves longevity through using weathering steel and eliminating expansion joints…