West Newton Bridge project to start Monday
A temporary bridge is expected to open next spring.
By the MVI
Construction on the $20 million West Newton Historic Bridge rehabilitation project is set to begin Monday.
PennDOT District 12 announced daytime single-lane restrictions controlled by flaggers will occur as needed on Water Street from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday to accommodate material and equipment deliveries.
Additionally, crews from Joseph B. Faye Construction Company will be performing off-line clearing and grubbing operations.
The rehabilitation project will bring the structure from poor to good condition, preserve its historical value and provide safe and efficient access over the river for motorized and non-motorized traffic.
The 117-year-old bridge was listed in poor condition in 2022. The state anticipates beginning construction late this summer on a temporary bridge so traffic on Route 136 can continue to cross the river when the existing bridge is closed for renovations, said Brian Svesnik, a project manager for PennDOT’s District 12.
The temporary bridge is projected to open in spring 2027. Svesnik said building the structure will take about six months, with an additional three months required to extend the roadway to the new crossing.
The renovation of the permanent bridge — which includes replacing the deck and repairing the trusses and substructure — is expected to be completed in 2028.
Multimodal intersection improvements include safety upgrades on Route 136 at the crossing of the Great Allegheny Passage trail, which runs along the river and is a major interstate bicycle route and critical economic generator for the community.
Built in 1907, the bridge carries 6,557 vehicles over the Youghiogheny River daily. It also serves more than 100 daily non-motorized users on average, as the only crossing in West Newton.
The rehabilitation project includes complete deck replacement as well as replacement and repair work on the trusses, sidewalk supports and substructure. PennDOT said the project will reconstruct and modernize the bridge to meet the safety and mobility needs of the region and restore it to a state of good repair.
Travelers can check conditions on major roads by visiting www. 511PA.com, which is free and available 24 hours.
