Beaver River Bridge

The Beaver River Bridge (also called "Beaver Valley Bridge") is a bridge that carries the Pennsylvania Turnpike across the Beaver River in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.[3] Built in 1951 and opened in 1952, the 69-year-old bridge is being redesigned with construction of a new span not expected to begin until 2020 or later.[3] The Beaver River Bridge has a total length of 1,546 ft (471 m) and a clearance below of 170 ft (52 m) making it higher than the Delaware River Bridge's 160 ft (49 m) clearance on the PA Turnpike's eastern terminus in Bucks County, but lower than the Hawk Falls Bridge's 190 ft (58 m) clearance on the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension in Carbon County.[2] The Beaver River Bridge is an example of a mid-20th century cantilever deck truss with preservation groups making efforts to save it from demolition as its structural style is becoming rare.[1] About 20,000 vehicles travel across the bridge each day.

Beaver River Bridge
Coordinates40°49′N 80°19′W
Carries I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
CrossesBeaver River
LocaleNorth Sewickley Township and Big Beaver
Official nameBeaver River Bridge
Other name(s)Beaver Valley Bridge
Characteristics
Total length1,546 ft (471 m)[1]
Width56 ft (17 m)[1]
Clearance below170 ft (52 m)[2]
History
Opened1952[3]
Location

Replacement

In 2012, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission set aside nearly $300 million to replace the bridge, and began the design phase of its Milepost 12-14 reconstruction project.[4] The project involves widening of the existing turnpike between the two mileposts to support a total of six 12' wide lanes, two 12' wide shoulders, as well as a 26' wide median. To support a wider road, three overhead structures along the turnpike were replaced between 2015 and 2016, and the ramp bridge over Route 18 at the nearby Beaver Valley Interchange was replaced with a temporary bridge.[5] The interchange itself will also be completely reconfigured and the turnpike's mainline bridge over Route 18 will be replaced.[6]

Construction is expected to resume in 2019 to widen the turnpike, replace the bridge, and reconfigure the Beaver Valley Interchange.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Pennsylvania Turnpike Beaver River Bridge". Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  2. Henry, Lowman (1997). "Over the River and Through Penn's Woods". Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  3. "Turnpike commission eying Beaver River Bridge replacement project". Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  4. Fontaine, Tom (2012-02-23). "Turnpike's Beaver River Bridge slated for replacement in 2017". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  5. "Project Overview". www.patpconstruction.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  6. "Project Map". www.patpconstruction.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  7. Stonesifer, Jared. "Second phase of Beaver River Bridge replacement project begins on turnpike". The Times. Retrieved 2018-12-29.

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