Tilghman Street Bridge Project Delayed one Week

Originally scheduled for March 5, PennDOT will now begin work on repairing two structurally deficient bridges in on Monday, March 12.

The contractor in charge of the $4,917,299 project, J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Pa., requested the change, according to PennDOT spokesperson, Ron Young.

The project consists replacing the deck and beams on the Tilghman Street Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad and the complete replacement of the Tilghman Street Bridge over Chapmans Road. 

Beginning March 12, motorists should expect off-peak (weekday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) lane restrictions on Tilghman Street east or west for approximately one month.

This section of Tilghman Street has an average daily traffic volume of 13,145 vehicles, according to PennDOT. During construction, be aware of these detours:

• When the bridges are closed for demolition and construction, Tilghman Street will be closed to through traffic between the intersections of Blue Barn and Farm Bureau roads. Tilghman Street west traffic will be routed on the posted detour route of US 22 west, Interstate 78 west and PA 100 north. Tilghman Street east traffic will be routed on the posted detour of PA 100 south, I-78 east, US 22 east, PA 309 north and US 22 west. A map of this detour route is attached.

• During the Tilghman Street detour, the traffic signals at the Tilghman Street intersections with Mill Road/Windsor Drive, Snowdrift Road, Ruppsville Road and Blue Barn Road will be temporarily re-timed to minimize congestion. These signals will also be permanently equipped with emergency responder pre-emption systems. The intersection of Tilghman Street and Farm Bureau Road will be temporarily reconfigured as a three-way stop controlled intersection (stop signs) to allow access to-and-from Tilghman Street on the western side of the bridges. The intersection will be restored to the pre-construction configuration at the completion of the project.

Also when the bridges are closed, Chapmans Road traffic will be detoured on Hickory Lane, Farm Bureau Road and Memorial Road. A map of this detour route is also attached. 

The Tilghman Street Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad is an 86 feet long, 53 feet wide steel girder bridge that was constructed in 1940. The new superstructure will be constructed with steel girders and be 86 feet long and 57 feet wide.  

The Tilghman Street Bridge over Chapmans Road is a 27 feet long, 53 feet wide concrete T-beam bridge that was constructed in 1940. The new bridge will be a 110 feet long, 57 feet wide concrete bulb T-beam bridge.