Twin Bridges Route 435 Project

County: Lackawanna
Project Type: Bridge Replacement
End Month: Spring 2026
Cost: $113.2 million
Contractor: J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Last Updated: July 18, 2023

The Interstate 84 Section 282 project includes the replacement of 2 mainline bridges carrying Interstate 84 eastbound & westbound over Roaring Brook and the active Delaware, Lackawanna and Western (DL&W) Railroad and the reconfiguration of Exit 2 with Route 435 in Dunmore Borough and Roaring Brook Township, Lackawanna County.  The current left-hand exit to Route 435 southbound will be reconfigured with a more conventional right-hand exit that includes a structure carrying the Ramp over both Interstate 84 eatsbound & westbound.

Work Completed in Construction Year 2020

Phase 1 Construction

The purpose of Phase 1 Construction was to construct a 12-foot travel lane in the median on the eastern side of the Interstate 84 Eastbound (EB) Bridge.  Once constructed, the right lane on Interstate 84 (EB) was closed to traffic and traffic was shifted into the left lane and the newly constructed lane.  The right lane is being used to access the Staging Area and Temporary Access Road.

Interstate 84 (EB)

• Constructed the Full Depth Pavement Structure
• Constructed the new Median Crossover
• Installed Inlets and Drainage Network
• Constructed Drainage Ditches
• Removed Existing Sign Structure

Phase 1A Construction

The purpose of Phase 1A Construction was to prepare the project site to begin construction.   The project site includes an active railroad, Roaring Brook, and steep terrain requiring the construction of several access roads, staging areas, crane pads, and temporary stream crossings of Roaring Brook for access, construction, and removal of the existing bridges.  An existing, abandoned, railroad bridge carrying the former Erie & Wyoming Valley (E&WV) Railroad over DL&W Railroad and Roaring Brook will also be rehabilitated as part of the project to facilitate construction access.  The bridge will be returned to Lackawanna County after construction is completed and will be incorporated into a future walking trail system.

Staging Areas and Temporary Access Roads

• Constructed (2) Staging Areas
• Constructed (5) Temporary Access Roads
• Access to Interstate 84 and State Route 435
• Constructed Temporary Causeway to E&WV Bridge
• Removed Existing Timber Ties and Constructed New Wooden Deck

Detention Basins and Slope Pipe

Detention Basins were constructed to control the runoff of water from Interstate 84 and on the project site.

• Constructed Bioretention Basin #1
• Constructed Detention Basin #2
• Constructed Trapezoidal Drainage Ditches and Drainage Network
• Installed Temporary Slope Pipe and Outlet to Roaring Brook

State Route 435 Fly-Over Bridge

Currently motorists exiting Interstate 84 (EB) to State Route 435 Elmhurst (Exit 2) must exit from the passing (left) lane of Interstate 84 (EB).  The current left-hand exit will be replaced with a more conventional right-hand exit that includes a Fly-Over Bridge carrying the new exit ramp over both Interstate 84 Eastbound and Westbound.

• Constructed a temporary pavement structure to accommodate traffic during the construction of the Fly-Over Bridge Pier.
• Shoulder Reconstruction (Interstate 84 WB)
• Shoulder Reconstruction (State Route 435 SB) 

Construction Year 2021

Continue - Phase 1A Construction

Construction started on the Bridge Piers for the Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge.

Pier 1

• Contractor completed the construction of the Pier

Pier 2

• Contractor completed the construction of the Pier

Pier 3

• Contractor installed temporary shoring and excavated to the bottom elevation of the footing.
• Contractor completed the 48" Diameter Caissons.
• Remaining work includes the following:
• FRP Footing
• FRP Column
• FRP Pier Cap
  
• Complete Phase 1A in the Fall of 2021

Construction Year 2021 and 2022

Phase 2 Construction

The purpose of Phase 2 Construction is to construct a portion of the new Interstate 84 (EB) Roadway and Bridge on the new alignment in the median between Interstate 84 Eastbound and Westbound.  Traffic will use the newly constructed roadway and bridge during the demolition of the existing Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge and the construction of the remaining portion of the new Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge and Roadway in Phase 3.

Interstate 84 (EB) Roadway

• The Contractor started grading the new roadway.
• The Contractor started the installation of the drainage network.
• Installed Inlets, Pipes, and Ditches
• Remaining work includes the following:
• Construct Full Depth Pavement Structure
• Install Guide Rail and Permanent Signs
• Install ITS/CCTV System

Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge

• Contractor completed Abutment 1 (Eastern Side)
  
• Contractor started the MSE Wall @ Abutment 1

Remaining work includes the following:

• Construct Bridge Abutments 2 (Western Side)
• Construct MSE Walls @ Abut 2
• Construct Bridge Superstructure

State Route 435 Fly-Over Bridge

• Contractor constructed the pavement structure for the Temporary Exit Ramp.
• Contractor excavated and removed existing wing wall on bridge over SR 435 Ramp.  Contractor going to start the drilling of the 48" Diameter Caissons for the Fly-Over Bridge Pier.

Complete Phase 2 in the Fall of 2022.

Construction Year 2022 and 2023

Phase 3 Construction

The purpose of Phase 3 Construction is to demo the existing Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge and start the construction of the remaining portion of the new Interstate 84 (EB) Bridge and Roadway. The State Route 435 Exit Ramps and Fly-Over Bridge will also be constructed in this phase.  This work will also include the construction of multiple MSE and Retaining walls.