Freedom Road traffic restricted in Cranberry
CRANBERRY TWP — Road crews have started preparing Freedom Road at the section where a major bridge replacement will take place over the next two years.
Known as the Freedom Road Turnpike Bridge project, work began earlier this year as crews relocated utility lines and poles as part of the initial groundwork. The project calls for the total replacement of the bridge carrying Freedom Road over the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to PennDot information. The new bridge will be wider with additional travel lanes to address traffic volumes on the road.
Sidewalks will also be added to the bridge. The structure will be longer than the existing bridge to accommodate future construction projects on the turnpike itself. Plans call for additional travel lanes in each direction, although there are no current plans for any Turnpike construction projects at this point.
Traffic restrictions began April 1, including flagging and lane width restrictions, which will be limited to just 10 feet throughout the course of the project. Earthwork aimed at widening the lanes started on site west of the bridge. Area sidewalks are closed and entryways to businesses have been altered as crews work at the site. Heavy machinery is digging through the shoulder and sidewalk on the south side of the road.
The project is expected to cost $13,127,925, with Beech Construction serving as the contractor. Work to replace the bridge itself won't begin until 2020, with an estimated completion date of December 2020.
