Kampf Says Pickering Bridge Project Will Finish November

The first week of the Pickering Dam Bridge replacement project is nearly finished, and the traffic delays have not shown any signs of improvement. The frustration is palpable, especially to the staff members at State Rep. Warren Kampf’s office, whom have been fielding phone calls from frustrated drivers all week.

Kampf has released a statement sympathizing with the aggravated commuters and assuring them that the hassle will be temporary.

“The work should be complete before the end of November,” said Kampf. “There has been some communication to my office that residents feel it will be closed for an entire year; however, that is not the case according to the contract.”

According to Kampf, PennDOT has clauses in the construction contract for a rigid timeline, with heavy penalties if the November date is not met. There will also be a PennDOT inspector on site on a daily basis monitoring the progress, according to Kampf.

“PennDOT understands the importance of completing this major rehabilitation of the Route 23 bridge in the shortest timeframe possible,” said Kampf. “We will also keep a close eye on the progress, and do what we can to move things along.”

Kampf also ruled out the possibility of closing just one lane to allow limited traffic flow. The nature of the repairs prevents that option from becoming a reality, Kampf says. The bridge has been deemed structurally deficient and needs major work, including removing deteriorated steel I-beams and replacing them with concrete and building a new deck.

“Friends, I know this is a huge hassle,” Kampf says. “Please remember that the bridge had to be replaced and my office and I will do all we can to make sure the project stays on course to give us a safe, new bridge as soon as possible.”