I-80 North Fork Bridges Project

State Route: SR 0080 Section 550 (Interstate 80)
Local Name: I-80 North Fork Bridges Project
Project Type: Bridge Replacement
Design and Construction Cost: $328 million
Anticipated Construction Start: Spring 2024
Anticipated Bridge Completion: Summer 2028
Designer: Michael Baker International
Last Updated: December 2023

The I-80 North Fork Bridges are dual structures (one eastbound and one westbound) built in 1962 and most recently rehabilitated in 2013. These bridges cross over the North Fork Redbank Creek and Water Plant Road in Brookville Borough and Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County. Combined, these bridges are expected to carry approximately 30,900 vehicles daily. Approximately 44 percent of the traffic over the bridges is truck traffic.
The purpose of the project is to provide safe, efficient, and effective crossings of I-80 over North Fork Redbank Creek and Water Plant Road that appropriately accommodate interstate traffic with respect to connectivity, mobility, loading and geometry. The main spans of the existing bridges are steel two-girder systems with floor beams and stringers; the bridges are fracture critical since many components of the bridges are nonredundant. Both bridges have problematic fatigue details which have received multiple retrofits during the service lives of the structures. The eastbound bridge is in poor condition and the westbound bridge is in fair condition; inspections are required on a 6-month and 1-year basis, respectively. The existing bridges are separated by approximately 1,100 feet, with the Walter Dick Memorial Park located between and below the two bridges. Both bridges are reaching the end of their serviceable lifespan.

This section of I-80 has a posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour (mph) and has horizontal and vertical geometry that does not meet 70 mph design criteria. Many crashes, nearly twice the statewide average, have occurred on this segment of I-80 due to a substandard curve on the western approach to the Eastbound bridge.

In addition to the replacement of the I-80 North Fork Bridges, this project will include the replacement of the I-80 Eastbound and Westbound bridges over State Route 4003 (Jenks Street), as well as the replacement of the State Route 4005 (Richardsville Road) bridges over I-80. The project will also include the extension of the North Fork Park Culvert, which carries I-80 traffic over the tributary to North Fork Redbank Creek.

Detour Information

A detour is anticipated during the replacement of the I-80 bridges over SR 4003 (Jenks Street). This 3.1-mile detour route would use West Main Street (SR 0028), Allegheny Boulevard (SR 0036) and West Main Street (SR 0322, US 322). PennDOT will continue to coordinate with the Brookville Area School District throughout the design process. A temporary bus stop will be added south of the I-80 bridges over Jenks Street to transport students in the area to school during construction. Jenks Street is posted at 10 tons, and truck travel along the street is restricted except for local deliveries.

SR 4003 (Jenks Street) Detour Map (PDF)

A detour is also anticipated during the replacement of the Richardsville Road bridges over I-80. The 5.3-mile detour route would use East Main Street (SR 0322, US 322), SR 0028 and Butler Cemetery Road (T-430) and would be approximately 5.3 miles overall. Butler Cemetery Road (T-430) is posted at 10 tons and will be improved as part of the project. PennDOT will coordinate with Pine Creek Township to use Butler Cemetery Road as part of the official detour route.

SR 4005 (Richardsville Road) Detour Map (PDF)

Detour route timing will be announced prior to construction.

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