The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to view the online plans display for a project to replace the bridge that carries Route 6 (French Creek Parkway) over French Creek in Hayfield and Woodcock townships, Crawford County.
The plans display for the Route 6 Bridge Replacement project, which will be held online only, includes a handout, a presentation, and an online comment form. It will be open until August. 7, 2023 and can be accessed by visiting the PennDOT District 1 website, www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
The bridge is located on Route 6 between the intersection with the Morris Road and the intersection with Black Road.
The project will replace the bridge at the existing location with a new two span steel plate girder structure. The roadway across the bridge will have 11-foot travel lanes and 5-foot. shoulders. The project also includes reconstructing the roadway approaches, upgrading guiderail and pavement markings, and intersection tie-ins at Morris and Brake Shoe roads.
Work is expected to occur in 2025 construction season.
A detour will be required during construction and is expected to be in place for approximately six months. The proposed 4.6-mile detour route will be posted using Interstate 79, Route 6 south of Meadville. Route 198, and Route 6 (Brookhouser Road) on the north side of Saegertown.
A portion of French Creek will be closed to boaters for the removal of the existing bridge and erection of the new bridge. Portage will be required during this time. Throughout the remainder of construction, boaters can use a designated safe channel to travel through the construction area.
The existing through-truss bridge was built in 1937. Repairs were made to the bridge in 2019 after it was damaged by an overheight vehicle. It is classified as poor condition and has a vehicle clearance of 14 feet. Approximately 7,100 vehicles a day use the bridge, on average.
Those unable to access the information online may give feedback by contacting PennDOT Project Manager Steve Schettler, at sschettler@pa.gov or 814-678-7356.
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 as well as gathering input from the public regarding impacts to Section 4(f) resources.
The project documents will 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, contact Steve Schettler, PennDOT Project Manager at sschettler@pa.gov or 814-678-7356.
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.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook.
PennDOT District 1 is hiring for variety of positions, including CDL operators, mechanics, highway maintenance workers, civil engineers, construction inspectors, and transportation technicians. Apply online at www.employment.pa.gov.
# # #
Contact: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or jharry@pa.gov
