Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to an online plans display regarding the Route 72 (South Main Street) superstructure replacement project in Manheim Borough and Penn Township, Lancaster County. The purpose of this project is to replace the existing, deteriorating superstructure and provide continued safe and efficient access on Route 72 over Chiques Creek.
The existing structure was built in 1955 and is a two-span, non-composite steel I-beam bridge with a structure length of 127 feet on reinforced concrete abutments.
The project consists of replacing the existing non-composite steel I-beam bridge superstructure with a new composite steel I-beam, reinforced concrete deck and bridge barriers.
Substructure work includes repairs to the existing concrete abutments and pier and reconstructed beam seats and tops of wingwalls. Additional work includes placing rock scour protection at the abutments and pier, reconstructing the pavement and sidewalk along the roadway tie-ins, and installing guide rail.
The pavement within the traffic control limits will also be milled and overlaid. The proposed superstructure will match the existing 38-foot curb-to-curb width, which includes two 12-foot travel lanes, and 7-foot shoulders. There will be 5-foot 8-inch sidewalks on both sides across the structure. The replacement superstructure will be slightly widened to provide for wider sidewalk and new bridge barriers.
This section of South Main Street averages 18,755 vehicles per day.
Traffic control will consist of two stages and a temporary one-way detour during construction. Both stages will exhibit a one-way Route 72 northbound detour while maintaining one lane for Route 72 southbound traffic through the construction site. The proposed detour is approximately 0.9 miles in length and uses Oak Street (T-562) and Route 772 (Fruitville Pike). Pedestrian traffic will also be maintained on the existing sidewalk in Stage 1 and the proposed sidewalk in Stage 2.
The one-way detour allows for expedited project construction while also maintaining access to local businesses by providing access to driveways, businesses, and adjacent roads within the project limits during construction. Overhead and underground utilities are present at the site and utility relocations will be necessary to accommodate construction.
The project is currently in design, and construction work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026 with completion by Fall 2026.
A digital version of the information will be available to view online through June 20, 2023.
The purpose of the plans displays is to introduce the project and receive public input, questions or concerns regarding the project.
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, Dan Rocuskie, Project Manager, at (717) 705-6181 or email at
drocuskie@pa.gov.
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.
Subscribe to PennDOT news in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties at
www.penndot.gov/District8.
MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Thompson, 717-418-5018
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