Lock Haven, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today it will not reach its goal of reopening one lane of the Flemington Bridge before Central Mountain High School resumes classes for the 2023-24 school year. PennDOT acknowledges the inconvenience the extension of this detour causes the community and thanks everyone for their continued patience.

PennDOT anticipated opening one lane of the bridge by the end of August but found while working on the 90-year-old structure that more bridge connections needed to be updated than determined by the initial inspection. The design and procurement of the materials for the additional repairs contributed to these delays. However, PennDOT expects addressing them now will improve the overall condition of the bridge enough for it to remain open for approximately two more decades.

PennDOT has contacted Central Mountain High School administrators, and they have developed alternate bus routes around the detours and are prepared to start the school year with the bridge closed to traffic.

There are two detours in effect for this project. The motor vehicle detour uses Route 150, Route 2015, Route 220, and Route 120. The bicycle detour uses Township Road 366 (Irwin Street/Canal Street/Fairpoint Road).

PennDOT will place temporary traffic signals at each end of the bridge when it reopens the structure to one lane. They will enforce an alternating traffic pattern where drivers take turns crossing the bridge via the open lane.

PennDOT plans to issue an update on the project in two weeks. In the meantime, it reminds drivers to follow official detour signs, use caution in work zones, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.

Motorists are encouraged to "Know Before They Go" by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.

Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

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