Bridge Bundle 2 breaks ground
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Lycoming County and local municipal officials were on hand this week to break ground for the second phase of the bridge bundling program.
Bridges in Loyalsock, Franklin, Susquehanna and Moreland townships as well as Jersey Shore will soon undergo replacement or repairs.
Bridge building allows for local bridges to be upgraded at significantly lower costs with municipalities collectively contracting the work.
A portion of the building program funding comes from a $5 fee attached to vehicle registrations for Lycoming County residents.
A study conducted by Bassett Engineering found that 40% of bridges inspected in the county were structurally deficient.
Britt Bassett, of Bassett Engineering, said the bundling program will allow for about 20% in cost savings.
"It's very cost effective," he said. "It's a model for the state."
Cost savings derive in part by building multiple bridges of the same type under one contract.
Each of the bridges in Bundle 2 are either arch or box culvert precast structures.
"These are relatively small structures," Bassett said.
Five bridges under Bundle 3 of the bundling program will take place later this year. Bundle 4 is set for 2024.
Officials gathered at the site near Faxon Bowling Lanes along Sheridan Street where one bridge is set for construction.
"This is a big step for the county," county transportation planner Austin Dailey said.
Lycoming County Commissioner Tony Mussare noted that bridge bundling serves as an affordable means for small municipalities to address bridge problems.
"It's a great way obviously for us to save money for taxpayers," Commissioner Rick Mirabito added.