Project Overview
On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, a tractor trailer hauling an empty steel tank traveling on Route 6 in Troy Township, Bradford County, struck several members of the steel truss bridge over Sugar Creek. As a result, the bridge was closed.
August 20, 2024 UPDATE
- Route 6 is open in Bradford County
Past Updates
August 19, 2024 Update
Shapiro Administration Celebrates Reopening of Damaged Route 6 Bridge in Bradford County
Bridge will reopen to traffic on August 20
Montoursville, PA – At an event today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), along with industry partners, announced that the damaged bridge on Route 6 in Troy Township, Bradford County would reopen on Tuesday, August 20. Lane restrictions will be in place for the rest of the week while the contractor, J.D. Eckman, Inc., completes minor work.
The bridge, which carries Route 6 over Sugar Creek, was struck and damaged by an oversized load on June 12. PennDOT Maintenance in Bradford County and District 3 Bridge Unit assessed the bridge and determined it was not safe to remain open and required a long-term closure for repair.
“Completing these repairs and reopening Route 6 as quickly as possible was a top priority for PennDOT and Governor Shapiro," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We know that Route 6 is a critical highway to the people of this region, and we are grateful for the folks who worked diligently to make that happen and are pleased to be reopening the roadway just in time for the start of the school year."
While the bridge was being repaired, Route 6 was closed in both directions between Leona Road (Route 4017) and Mud Creek Road (Route 3034), Troy Township with a long-term detour in place.
“We appreciate the public's patience and understanding while we worked to get the Route 6 bridge repaired," said PennDOT Assistant District Executive for Construction Justin Blakeney. “We thank the department forces, bridge inspectors, consultants, JD Eckman and all involved in inspecting, designing and repairing this crucial bridge."
August 16, 2024 Update
The contractor is currently painting the newly installed and repaired beams. On Friday, August 16, 2024, the bridge will be inspected. An epoxy overlay will be applied on the bridge deck on Monday, August 19, weather pending. Rain date for the epoxy overlay is Tuesday, August 20 or Wednesday, August 21.
July 30, 2024 Update
As of Monday, July 29, all the steel has been delivered and the reconstruction of abutment 1 and abutment 2 portals (horizontal beam leading into the bridge) are both complete.
On Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28, the contractor replaced two upright beams.
The week of July 29, the contractor is performing preparation work to complete repairs on the remaining damaged steel sway frames that will be reconstructed.
Once sway frames 1 and 2 are repaired, the contractor will be able to begin heat straightening the damaged steel members in bay 4 and bay 5.
The project is still on schedule and the road is anticipated to be open by the end of August.
July 26, 2024 Update
Several vertical and horizontal beams that will not be replaced have been heat straightened and plated. The contractor continues heat straightening and paint removal work on the remaining steel members that will not be replaced. The new beams have been delivered and the contractor has started work to brace the vertical beams in preparation for replacement. Once the vertical beams are stabilized, the contractor will begin work to replace the damaged beams with the new ones.
July 18, 2024 Update
Work continues on the Route 6 bridge repairs. Work includes paint removal, nondestructive testing, heat straightening, and removal of damaged beams that will be replaced. On Tuesday, July 16, engineers were present to answer questions from the media on the progress. You can view the stories by clicking the links below.
Repairs Underway on Route 6 Bridge in Troy
Repairs Underway on Route 6 Bridge in Troy - WENY News
Repairs Underway on Route 6 Bridge in Troy Township - WNEP
July 8, 2024 Update
On Monday, July 8, 2024, the contractor, J.D. Eckman, Inc., began mobilizing equipment and materials to the work site. Work includes grinding paint on the steel members that will be heat straightened and removal of damaged steel members that will be replaced.
Replacement of the removed steel members will take place when the replacements arrive, which is anticipated within two weeks.
July 2, 2024 Press Release Information Below:
On Monday, July 8, 2024, the contractor, J.D. Eckman, Inc. will begin mobilizing equipment and materials to the work site to begin the repairs to the bridge. The contractor will begin removal of the damaged truss members and heat straightening of the damaged members that are not being replaced.
June 2024
Inspection of the bridge was completed on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Preliminary findings indicated severe damage to several members of the steel truss bridge.
On Thursday, June 13, 2024, PennDOT and industry partners arrived on site to review damage and begin preliminary discussion on a repair plan. On Monday, June 17, 2024, J.D. Eckman Inc., accepted the contract to repair the bridge.
The week of June 17, 2024, PennDOT, Dewberry, and J.D. Eckman, Inc., met on-site to assess material needs, supplies, and review preliminary repair plans.
At this time, the bridge is anticipated to remain closed through August. It will reopen after repairs are completed.
Project Status
J.D. Eckman, Inc., is the prime contractor for this emergency bridge repair project. Work on this project includes removal of the damaged steel truss members and replacement with new steel beams, heat straightening, and miscellaneous repairs. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of August 2024.
Photos
Route 6 Bridge Strike Photos.pptx
Bridge Information
- Built in 1941
- It is 190-feet long, and 28.5-feet wide.
- The bridge was rehabilitated in 1988 and has had several preservation projects from 2005 to present.
- The average daily traffic is approximately 4,000 vehicles.
- The average daily traffic (trucks) is approximately 900.
CONTACT
Design Project Manager
Maggie Jackson I margjackso@pa.gov
Design Consultant Project Manager
Caleb Hood I chood@dewberry.com
Contractor J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Mike Bresch I mbresch@jdeckmaninc.com
Construction Project Manager
Kevin Smith I kevinsmith@pa.gov
Community Relations Coordinator
Maggie Baker I magbaker@pa.gov
County: Bradford
State Routes: 6
Local Name: Roosevelt Highway
Project Type: Bridge Repair
Start Month: June 2024
End Month: Anticipated August 2024
Last Updated: 12/18/2024
Resources
Accessibility
The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation or interpretation services, have special needs, or have concerns that require individual attention, please contact the PennDOT Project Manager listed above.