A new year will bring a new batch of bridge projects in Schuylkill County.
The largest project to start in 2014 is the restoration of county bridge No. 113, also known as the Rock Covered Bridge. The Burr Arch Truss-style bridge runs over the Little Swatara Creek on Newswanger Road in Washington Township and is one of only two covered bridges still standing in the county. Built in 1870, it is 50 feet 7 inches long with a clearance of 10 feet 6 inches and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The county commissioners gave their approval last week to disencumber $500,000 from the project to be used elsewhere. Lisa Mahall, county engineer, said that money came from the liquid fuel fund before the county was awarded a $1.2 million National Historic Covered Bridge Grant from the Federal Highway Administration to cover the entire project.
The Rock Covered Bridge is now restricted to 3-ton loads, which is the minimum weight capacity before a bridge is closed. That project is expected to go out to bid in March, Mahall said.
The commissioners also approved an extension with Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, to inspect county bridge No. 200 on Maple Avenue that runs over the west branch of the Schuylkill River in Norwegian Township. The expiration date was set for Dec. 31, 2013, and was extended another year.
Mahall said the county is still waiting on the feasibility study from the company that will determine if the bridge can be repaired or has to be replaced. The study has already been submitted to the state Department of Transportation.
"Obviously, it would be a lot cheaper than to replace," Mahall said.
The bridge was one of 26 locally-owned bridges in the county that PennDOT posted a new weight restriction on in August. The restrictions were the result of the transportation bill not being passed until November. The new postings will remain until the structures are repaired, Mahall said.
Other bridge projects expected to start in 2014 and estimated costs include: No. 92 in West Brunswick Township, $400,000; No. 30 in Pine Grove Township, $300,000; No. 125 in Upper Mahantongo Township, $80,000; No. 42 in Rush Township, $95,000; and No. 7 in Barry Township, $300,000.