MARTIC TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- For some drivers, the headache of taking a lengthy detour to get around the closed Norman Wood Bridge is over.
On Friday afternoon, PennDOT opened one lane of traffic on the bridge over the Susquehanna River between Lancaster and York counties. PennDOT engineers determined the southbound lane of traffic can be safely supported while crews continue to repair the girder on the north side of the bridge.
“Our priority has been to repair the bridge, and do it safely” said Mike Keiser, the district executive for PennDOT Engineering District 8, “but we’ve also had a goal to restore the bridge to limited use as soon as possible in order to lessen the hardship that the bridge closure has created for people who depend on this river crossing.”
"Because of the location, it was prudent for us to get one lane open," said PennDOT Spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler.
Temporary traffic signals will control the alternate directions of traffic, and there are some restrictions.
Vehicles must weigh less than five tons and be less than eight feet wide. Larger and commcercial vehicles must continue to use alternate routes.
The Norman Wood Bridge had been closed to all traffic since September 28, after bridge inspectors discovered a large vertical crack in a steel girder on the north side of the bridge. The bridge is a two-lane, 21-span structure that was built in 1968 and carries on average a little more than 4,300 vehicles a day. PennDOT’s contractor – J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Pa. – began working on repairs on October 5 and should complete them by early November.
Back to Business
The reopening of one lane of traffic is good news for Mike Kosmicki, a herdsman at a nearby dairy farm. He plans to pick up medicine needed for the cows. "We only have one box left," he said. Because the store is on the other side of the bridge, he has held off on purchasing the medicine since it closed.
"It would take over an hour just to get there. It is maybe three miles away, across the bridge. Luckily they reopened it so we can start going over there again."
It's better than nothing for drivers like Michelle Denton. Her company delivers products to local farmers. She said some are smaller loads, and some can be up to 10, 15, or even 25 tons. She plans to take smaller loads and more trips until the bridge is fully reopened. "It'll be great once it's fully open, but this will help us out even if we have to take little bit by little bit," she said.