HARRISBURG, Pa. — The 29th Street Bridge will soon be demolished.
Dave Thompson with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) says demolition begins this weekend.
“We’re going to be demolishing the 29th Street Bridge spanning interstate 83 in the Harrisburg area so we can replace it as part of East Shore Section 3 of the I-83 Capital Beltway Project,” Thompson explained.
The bridge has been closed since July with detours in place along Derry, 19th, and Paxton Streets to name a few.
Demolition is expected to happen at night to minimize traffic delays on the interstate.
“The plan is to reduce traffic to a single lane in both directions at 7 p.m. Saturday night, a full closure will then follow at 11 p.m., by 5 a.m. the next morning on Sunday morning we expect to have one lane of traffic open in both directions and then a full opening by 7 a.m.,” Thompson said.
The new bridge is expected to be wider, have more pedestrian accommodations, and should be completed by fall 2025.
Interstate 83 is expected to be widened after the new bridge is completed.
“Right now, we’re on the first contract of East Shore Section 3, that’s a two-contract project, this is a 150 million project that is expected to go till 2027,” Thompson said.
Detours will be available for drivers during Saturday’s full lane closures.
“Basically, using Paxton Street which runs parallel to I83 is the main detour route,” Thompson described.
PennDOT will continue to update drivers about potential delays as the project continues.
Thompson also encourages people to visit 511 PA for travel route information.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2033.