Dunlap Creek Bridge Rehab and Brownsville Ave. Bridge Deck Replacement
Dunlap Creek Bridge circa 1904
Project Overview
Dunlap Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project
Brownsville Borough, Fayette County
The existing Dunlap Creek Bridge – listed on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1839 as the first cast iron metal arch bridge in the United States. It is a single-span, cast iron, arch rib structure that was modified in 1922 to replace bridge deck material and install cantilevered support brackets and sidewalks lined with replacement metal railings.
This project is designed as a sensitive rehabilitation of the historic bridge structure that will remove later encumbrances and restore views of the bridge. It will ensure continued structural integrity, stability, and soundness. The refurbishment will include the installation of a new midblock crossing and a pedestrian bridge for safety and accessibility.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer 2024.
Companion Project: Brownsville Avenue Bridge over Dunlap Creek Deck Replacement
Brownsville Borough, Fayette County
This project involves a deck replacement and will be constructed prior to the Dunlap Creek Bridge closure. It includes the rehabilitation of the existing bridge structure carrying Brownsville Avenue over Dunlap Creek in Brownsville Borough, Fayette County. The proposed rehabilitation work will strengthen the bridge so that the weight limit posting can be removed.
- The existing asphalt riding surface, concrete sidewalk and concrete barriers will be removed.
- The beams, which are to remain, will be repaired as needed.
- A new concrete deck, sidewalk, and barriers will be constructed on the beams.
- The new deck will be made composite with the beams to strengthen the bridge.
- The approach roadways will be paved from the intersection with Shady Avenue to the intersection with Seneca Street.
- Guide rail will be installed on the structure approaches.
There will be no changes to the existing roadway alignment, profile, or width.
Traffic will be detoured during construction and is anticipated to be in place for two to three months. The detour route is approximately 0.3 miles and uses Ray Charkes Way/Shady Avenue, Bank Street, and Route 4003 (Market Street).
Construction is anticipated to begin in late spring/early summer 2024.
The anticipated, combined project cost of rehabilitating Dunlap Creek and Brownsville Avenue Bridges is $9-10 million.
Project Update
03/26/24 -
Physical work on the Brownsville Avenue bridge rehabilitation project will start shortly after the Anticipated Notice to Proceed. Work will be completed under full detour. Work on the Cast Iron Bridge will not begin until work is completed on Brownsville Avenue as it is part of the emergency vehicle detour for the Cast Iron Bridge rehabilitation. The Brownsville Avenue Bridge is anticipated to be open to traffic in late August 2024. Detours are anticipated to be implemented on the Cast Iron Bridge rehabilitation in late August 2024. Work will begin to disassemble the Cast Iron Bridge and all existing structure remnants that have been left upstream and downstream of the bridge will be removed. Once disassembled, the bridge will be hauled offsite for steel repairs. While the bridge is offsite for repair, masonry work will begin to repair the existing stone abutments. Along with the abutment work, foundation extension and basement vault closures will be completed under the existing sidewalk adjacent to the bridge.
While the Cast Iron Bridge is off for steel repairs, construction of the upstream pedestrian bridge will be taking place with a planned completion by the end of April 2025.
Full closures on Route 4003 (Market Street) will remain in place throughout construction until the completion in August 2025.
Public Meeting
An open house public meeting about these companion projects was held on November 28, 2023, and included a formal presentation and Q&A with PennDOT representatives.
When:
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
5:00 - 6:30 P.M.
| Where:
St. Mary’s Social Hall
118 Church Street
Brownsville, PA 15417
|
View Dunlap Creek Bridge public meeting presentation
View Brownsville Ave. Bridge public meeting presentation