Politics & Government
New Weight Restrictions Coming for Lower Gwynedd Bridges
Due to uncertainty of future state transportation funding for bridge repairs, PennDOT is reducing or posting new weight restrictions on deteriorating bridges.
Two bridges in the North Penn area will be posted with new or lowered weight restrictions soon to improve safety and lessen rates of deterioration.
The bridge on Route 202/DeKalb Pike over the Wissahickon Creek will be posted at 30 tons.
The bridge on Gypsy Hill over Willow Run will be posted at 19 tons.
These are just two of 63 state-owned bridges in the five-county area to be affected by new Pennsylvania Department of Transportation safety mandates.
All in all, there are more than 1,000 structurally-deficient bridges in Pennsylvania, according to PennDOT secretary Barry Schoch.
The new restrictions will also affect 48 county- or municipal-owned bridges in the five-county region.
PennDOT is posting new weight restrictions or reducing restrictions to extend the life of deteriorating bridges as a temporary solution, since it is uncertain if the state legislature will provide transportation funding to repair or replace these bridges.
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