Reminder: In Person Open House for Route 462 Columbia Wrightsville Bridge Rehabilitation Project is Tomorrow

Harrisburg, PA - This is a reminder there will be an in-person open house tomorrow regarding a project to rehabilitate the Route 462 Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge connecting York and Lancaster counties along Route 462 over the Susquehanna River. The project is anticipated to improve mobility and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians and address structural deficiencies on the bridge.

The open house is scheduled for 5:00 to 8:00 PM tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17, at the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, PA 17512.

The purpose of the open house is to present the recommended improvements, receive input, and answer questions on an informal basis. There will be no formal presentation.

Columbia Borough will make metered parking free after 12:00 PM on September 17 to accommodate meeting attendees.

As an alternative to attending the open house, an online public plan display is available for review and comment.

Information, including roadway plans and an interactive comment form, can be found by visiting the PennDOT District 8 web site, clicking on Public Meetings listed under the Resources heading, and choosing either the Lancaster County or York County box then the tile marked SR 462 Columbia Wrightsville Bridge.

The project team will be accepting comments throughout the duration of the comment period, which ends on October 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

The Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge (also known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge or Route 462 Bridge) was opened to traffic in 1930 and connects York and Lancaster Counties along Route 462 over the Susquehanna River. The bridge contains 48 spans, is 1.26 miles long and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to vehicular traffic, the bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists and serves as PA Bike Route S.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose a comprehensive bridge rehabilitation project. Studies of the bridge began in 2016, and the scope of work for the project includes:

• Addressing structural deficiencies on the bridge, which naturally occur over time

• Improving connections for cyclists and pedestrians accessing Columbia Borough's Northwest River Trail and River Park by adding wayfinding signs and pavement markings

• Improving connections for cyclists and pedestrians accessing Wrightsville Borough's Mason-Dixon Trail and Riverfront Park by adding wayfinding signs, pavement markings and sidewalk improvements

• Improving the Wrightsville Borough five-point intersection of Routes 462 and 624 (Hellam Street) with North and South 2nd Streets by constructing a roundabout

• Adding a traffic-calming central median at the eastern end of the bridge on Route 462 at the North 2nd Street intersection

• Providing lighting improvements above the bridge deck to enhance traveler safety during the annual mayfly season

The project was scheduled to begin construction in Spring 2024. However, structural deficiencies were identified during a bi-annual bridge inspection in June 2023. As a result, PennDOT posted a 10-ton weight restriction on the bridge and concurrently began developing an "interim bridge repairs" project. This interim project will improve areas of concern and construction work is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed by the Fall of 2024. The repairs will not remove the posting, but rather is intended to keep the bridge from a full closure until the future permanent bridge repairs work can occur.

As a result of the significant change in the condition of the bridge, PennDOT has revised the project scope to include more extensive rehabilitation. The major bridge rehabilitation is delayed until PennDOT and FHWA complete additional engineering and environmental evaluation studies for the long-term rehabilitation of the bridge. An approximate 3-year bridge closure to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians is anticipated within the middle timeframe of an overall 5- year construction project. Vehicles will use US 30 as the primary detour while bikes and pedestrian will be accommodated through transit services.

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase, and work is anticipated to take place between the 2027 and 2031 construction seasons subject to all approvals, environmental clearances, and funding availability.

The purpose of the online plan display and open house is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project's potential effect upon Cultural Resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, contact Mark Malhenzie, Senior Project Manager, at 717.783.5080, or email at [email protected].

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.

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