Lincoln Drive Bridge over Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad

Lincoln Drive Bridge over Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad

This project entails the replacement of the State Route 1021/Lincoln Drive Bridge over Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad. This bridge replacement project is in Rush Township, Schuylkill County.

This online plans display includes digital picture boards and an online comment form, and is available to the public from 01/09/23 to 02/05/23.

The purpose of the project is to provide a reliable crossing of Lincoln Drive over the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad. The project is needed due to the condition of the existing bridge, to improve safety, and increase horizontal and vertical clearances. The existing bridge is a 33’-7” thru-girder bridge which was built in 1924 and has a condition rating of poor due to deterioration of the steel members, requiring a weight restriction of 24 tons/33 tons combination. The barriers on the bridge are substandard tube railings with 1 foot shoulders provided. The proposed bridge will provide a structurally sound replacement with standard barriers, improved shoulder widths, as well as increased vertical clearance for the railroad. The roadway, which carries an average daily traffic volume of 2694 vehicles (4% trucks), will stay on a similar horizontal alignment while the vertical profile will be raised approximately 4 feet to provide the required vertical clearance for the railroad. The project will be constructed using a relatively short detour.

It is anticipated that the construction will be begin in early 2025 and be complete in the fall of 2025. All timeframes are estimates and subject to change.

The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project's potential effect upon cultural resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact PennDOT Project Manager Dan Stewart, at c-dastewar@pa.gov or 717-775-5109.

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.

For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.