The Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge was the main focus of Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo’s first town hall meeting on Thursday night at Nanticoke City Hall, with inquiries about which solution will be chosen.
Officials of the county are considering choices for the county-owned bridge over the Susquehanna River, which links Nanticoke and Plymouth Township. This is because the bridge was downgraded to a 15-ton weight limit in 2020 due to problems discovered in an inspection.
The company hired by the county, Alfred Benesch and Associates, proposes a partial replacement which is estimated to cost $39.6 million. They were tasked to study the bridge and find the most suitable and economical option.
This proposal involves replacing the three truss spans with four new steel bridge spans on new piers, replacing the beams and deck on the 21 approaching spans, and repairing existing piers and abutments. The bridge would be widened to 32 feet and equipped with an extra right turning lane onto Route 11. These changes could accommodate potential future industrial development in the area of the bridge, according to Benesch representatives.
The tops of the piers would be widened to support extra beam lines needed for the wider deck.
Some local officials and residents are advocating for a full replacement, which is estimated to cost $64 million according to the engineer’s estimate.
The county has access to $55 million from casino gambling revenue, meaning an additional $9 million would need to be secured if a council majority chooses to build a new bridge.
Some council members have also noted that utilizing the entire $55 million casino-funded infrastructure pool on the Nanticoke/West Nanticoke bridge would leave no funds to cover other roadway projects that had been on the county’s completion list if funds remained.
County officials stated that the partial replacement option recommended by Benesch addresses the same safety issues and weight loads as the new bridge option but costs less.
Under the $64 million total replacement option, a completely new bridge would be constructed in a new alignment west of the existing one.
A new bridge would also prevent traffic disruption because the current span could remain open to traffic during construction as long as it meets inspection requirements. Closure of the current bridge for approximately 2.5 years would be necessary for the partial replacement option.
Crocamo gave an update on the current state of the span during Thursday’s town hall and in an email to council:
Benesch has just completed a “topside” inspection of the bridge truss and is scheduled to perform an underside inspection by boat later this month. Inspections are required every six months.
Based on the initial inspection findings, Benesch said three “priority one” maintenance items must be resolved or mitigated within six months — one new and two recurring:
• (New) A deck spall in a travel lane with exposed rebar must be repaired with a concrete patch.
• A torn seal of a deck joint over “pier 4” must be repaired or replaced because it is allowing water to reach the superstructure elements and beam seats under the joint.
• Rust and wear on steel expansion bearings may mean they are not working properly anymore.
Once the full inspection is done, Crocamo stated she will get a complete list of necessary urgent repairs and expected costs.
Crocamo informed the residents that the county administration is in the final phase of collecting information council members need to decide on how to move forward. She anticipates that the matter will be on the council’s agenda “soon rather than later.”
The administration has been collaborating with the state transportation department and state and federal legislators but has not yet obtained extra funding to cover the $9 million gap needed for a new bridge.
Council Chairman John Lombardo told the audience he supports the recommended partial replacement because it essentially creates a new bridge and falls within the current available funds.
The town hall meeting attracted around 50 participants, and Crocamo mentioned that others will take place in different areas of the county.
“I want to ensure that residents of Luzerne County feel involved and have a say, and that your opinions are heard by the administration,” Crocamo said.
