LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) made the decision to shut down the bridge on California Road out of an abundance of caution, citing damages to the bridge's abutments.
The bridge is expected to be closed for a few years and be replaced.
For Aaron Martin, owner of JR’s Harness and Saddle Company, the closure could mean a dip in business.
“I know it’s going to be a little bit of an inconvenience for the customers that come in that way because they’re going to have to come down and detour around to get to my store,” Martin said.
Martin isn’t too concerned about finding his own way around, but it may take time for some customers to do the same.
“There’s quite a few other people that come out California Road to shop at my store,” Martin said.
The bridge was built in 1934 and averages about 600 cars traveling on it a day.
On the outside the bridge looks perfectly fine, however, it’s what’s underneath the bridge that has PennDOT officials concerned.
“We did a bridge inspection; I believe it was Friday and we discovered some scouring, some undermining of the foundation of the bridge,” said District 8 Spokesperson, David Thompson.
Scouring occurs when water erodes sediments around the base or support structures for things like bridges but can also happen on roads and other manmade structures.
The total cost of replacement is not yet known.
“I think that is going to come out when we bid the project, we’re going to find out what the final cost is going to be,” Thompson said.
Drivers are encouraged to use resources like 511 PA to map alternate routes.
“The basic detours are Route 23 New Holland Pike and Route 10 on Morgantown Road; I believe it’s called locally,” Thompson said.
The project is expected to begin early 2025.
