HARRISBURG, Pa. — The 29th Street Bridge in Harrisburg was closed to traffic on Saturday so it could be demolished.
An official with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation warned drivers about Saturday night’s road closures and detours planned from Exit 44B and Exit 45.
"Interstate 83 is going to be closed down between Paxton Street and 19th Street, so there will be a detour in place for northbound and southbound Interstate 83 from about 11 p.m. tonight till 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday morning,” said David Thompson.
The bridge’s demolition is part of PennDOT’s East Shore Section 3 of the I-83 Capital Beltway Project.
“It’s basically widening and modernizing Interstate 83 from Cameron Street to 29th Street,” Thompson explained.
Additionally, the contract will include the construction of overhead bridges at 29th Street and 19th Street, the construction of the new Cameron Street Interchange and removing the 13th Street interchange and roadway improvements along the Cameron Street, 19th Street and 29th Street corridors.
Crews began preparing the bridge for demolition earlier this week, drilling more than 400 holes and loading them with more than 800 pounds of explosives.
Jim Shuster with Newville Construction Services was contracted for the demo.
“Every charge in that bridge is controlled by a computer program that arms it and detonates it at a precise time, down to one one-thousandths of a second,” Shuster said.
Shuster expected little impact on neighbors and demolition was scheduled for midnight.
“They’ll hear a large boom, much like a blast or burst of thunder, and there will be a cloud of dust, some dust will come off from it,” Shuster said.
State Police signaled to clear the area with a siren. After a few minutes, another siren went off to signal that demolition was imminent.
I-83 reopened to the public on Sunday, with all associated detours being lifted. However, officials warn of significant traffic impacts during the life of this project, including traffic shifts, lane restrictions and road closures/detours.
PennDOT anticipates the work contract to be completed by Oct. 12, 2027.
Drivers are encouraged to check 511PA for information on future road closures, openings, and detours.