Planned overnight closures of Route 143 as part of the I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project have been rescheduled due to inclement weather, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Bridging Pennsylvania Constructors (BPC).
The closures, originally scheduled for this week, will now occur next week, with Route 143 closed from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23 for the setting of beams on the eastbound bridge span. The westbound span work is scheduled for the same overnight timeframe on Tuesday, June 24, weather permitting.
During the closures, detours will be in place. Northbound Route 143 traffic will be directed to use I-78 eastbound to Exit 40 (Kutztown/Krumsville), then I-78 westbound to Exit 35 (Lenhartsville). Southbound traffic will be rerouted via I-78 westbound to Exit 30 (Hamburg), then I-78 eastbound to Exit 35 (Lenhartsville).
In addition to the Route 143 closures, rolling slowdowns on I-78 east and westbound near Exit 35 will occur during the overnight work hours on both nights.
The project is part of PennDOT’s Major Bridges Public-Private Partnership (P3) Program, aimed at improving the condition of aging bridges across the state. Work on the Lenhartsville Bridge is being led by Bridging Pennsylvania Developers – I (BPD-I), a partnership between Shikun & Binui Ltd and Macquarie Capital. Construction is being carried out by Bridging Pennsylvania Constructors (BPC), which includes several subcontractors such as S&B USA Construction, H&K Group, Kokosing Construction Company, and Wagman Heavy Civil. Michael Baker International is serving as the lead designer.
PennDOT noted that coordination with local emergency management services will continue throughout the duration of the project to minimize disruption.
