PennDOT Updates Proposal for Route 6N Railroad Bridge Replacement in Springfield Township, Erie County

​The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to view plans for a project to replace the bridge that carries Canadian National/Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad over Route 6N and widen the roadway in Springfield Township, Erie County.

The purpose of the Route 6N Railroad Bridge project is to improve the roadway near and under the bridge and increase the vertical and horizontal clearances for traffic beneath the structure. These improvements will allow for the use of this portion of Route 6N (Route 3006) as a detour route for Interstate 90 as needed.

The bridge is located above Route 6N (US 6N) between the intersection with Old Albion Road and the intersection with Sanford Road. It was built in 1930 and is classified as poor condition.

The Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad is a National Register of Historical Properties eligible historic district and the US 6N underpass is a contributing resource to that district. The underpass will be replaced with a new structure, thereby adversely affecting the historic district.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has agreed to the adverse effect. The mitigation agreed upon requires that PennDOT create and house on its website a StoryMap Collection that contains an individual StoryMap for the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad. Each StoryMap shall contain a brief illustrated history of the railroad and a discussion of the railroad's significance to the region and to Pennsylvania. The overall StoryMap Collection will be created in a way that other StoryMaps can be added for other railroads that are adversely affected by future projects. PennDOT will provide electronically a draft StoryMap to the PA SHPO and the Consulting Party for a 30-day review period. PennDOT will also notify the PA SHPO and the Consulting Party when the final revised StoryMap is available on the PennDOT website. PennDOT will house the StoryMap on its website for a period of no less than 5 years from the completion of the StoryMap. The StoryMap is estimated to be completed and placed on the PennDOT website during the summer of 2025. A press release will be released when the StoryMap is available for review.

The adverse effect to the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad National Register of Historical Properties eligible historic district and the contributing resource of the US 6N underpass is considered a "Use" under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966. PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration have determined that there is no feasible and prudent alternative that avoids the Section 4(f) properties and that the project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the Section 4(f) properties.

To provide any comments on the Adverse Effect and Section 4(f) Use online, visit the PennDOT District 1 website, www.penndot.pa.gov/District1 and find the Route 6N Railroad Bridge by clicking on the Design and Construction Projects link, or give feedback by contacting PennDOT Project Manager Jeanette Uhl at [email protected] or 814-678-7084.

The project will include replacing the existing railroad bridge, widening of the roadway on both sides of the structure, pipe and channel realignment, paving approximately 600 feet of roadway, and updated guiderail and pavement markings. Work is expected to occur during the 2027 construction season.

Additional details about the Route 6N Railroad Bridge proposal are available through the online project page, which includes a handout, details on the proposed detour, self-guided presentation, digital plans, and an online comment form. It will be open until Sept. 6, 2024 and can be accessed by visiting the PennDOT District 1 website, www.penndot.pa.gov/District1 under the Design and Construction Projects link.

Those unable to access the information online request plans or give feedback by contacting PennDOT Project Manager Jeanette Uhl, at [email protected], or 814-678-7084.

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.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.

Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or [email protected] ​