Slow-down at U.S. 11 bridge will be over sooner than expected
GREENE TOWNSHIP -- The drive on Philadelphia Avenue (U.S. 11) north of Chambersburg will be friendlier this winter:
- Traffic flow on the bridge over the Conococheague Creek will return to normal.
- Traffic near the Sheetz store at Philadelphia Avenue and Cumberland Highway (Pa. 997) will have more elbow room.
The bridge, in the area known as Red Bridge, is to reopen by the end of October, possibly as early as next week, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Greg Penny.
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The bridge project is wrapping up six months before the contract deadline. J.D. Eckman of Atglen was awarded the $3.8 million contract to replace the former structurally deficient bridge that had been built in 1917.
Improvements to U.S.11/Pa. 997 intersection will not be finished this year.
The Sheetz convenience store opened in August, but the right-turn lane on northbound U.S. 11 remains unfinished. Red cones warn motorists of a drop-off.
“The drop-off will be addressed, but it’s unclear when the traffic signals will be installed,” Penny said.
The northbound right-turn lane will be paved before winter to help snow plows, he said. The turn lane, however, will not be in use until new signals are installed.
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Photos: See scenes of U.S. 11 bridge work (story continues below)
Masts for the traffic signals have yet to be installed. Utility work must be completed first.
Windstream, a provider of data and voice network services, recently moved its lines from the utility poles, according to Penny. Fiber optic lines, the only remaining lines on the poles, are to be removed next.
“A lot of the project is scheduled for next year,” Penny said.
Trucks traveling from Letterkenny Army Depot to Interstate 81 use the intersection. Northbound traffic backs up during evening rush hour.
The project was scheduled at the same time the Sheetz replaced its store, located diagonally across from the new store. The road work included entrance work to the store.
New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc., New Enterprise, has the $3.5 million contract. March 12 is the completion date for the contract.
Jim Hook, 717-262-4759