Koppel Bridge Replacement Project On Target, Detour Scheduled This Summer

According to PENNDOT Press Officer Steve Cowan, the $27.58 million dollar Koppel Bridge replacement project is progressing well.

“Crews have one half of the deck rebar tied and are working on the other half of the bridge,” said Cowan via email. “Deck placement work should begin in early May.”

An approximate three-month closure of both bridges and detour will occur from the late summer through the fall of 2019 when the new bridge and roadway will open.

“Depending on several factors, the contractor is anticipating the detour to begin between July 17th and July 31st,” said Cowan.

The current configuration will stay in place until the closure beginning in July and during the closure, a contractor will install a retaining wall on the Koppel side and construct roadway on each side of the new bridge according to Cowan.

For those motorists concerned with the precarious three-point intersection of Route-351 and River Road on the Ellwood City side of the bridge, no roadway adjustments or changes are planned as part of the project.

“The intersection is just outside our limits of work according,” concluded Cowan.

It has been several years since the last, small modification to the intersection was made [READ MORE]

The new bridge, which carries State Route 351 over the Beaver River and connects Koppel Borough to North Sewickley Township, will be a major causeway for Ellwoodians and area residents to reach the PA Turnpike and PA State Route 376.

The bridge will be constructed with steel girders, it will be 34′ wide with two 12′ travel lanes and two 8′ shoulder lanes. There will be no weight limit changes. Additional work will also include signage, pavement markings, drainage, and guide rail installation.