PA Bridge Project Named to National Top 10 Transportation Projects List

Cumberland County Project Vying for 'People's Choice Award'

HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Recovery Act-funded bridge replacement project in Cumberland County was named a Top 10 Transportation project and is vying for recognition in a national "People's Choice Award" competition.

The bridge carrying Route 34, locally known as Spring Road, over the Conodoguinet Creek near Carlisle was among 10 that scored the highest number of points during four regional contests leading up to the 2010 America's Transportation Awards Competition. A total of 43 projects from 29 states were judged in four categories: "Best Recovery Act," "On Time," "Under Budget," and "Innovative Management." The Spring Road project was in the "Best Recovery Act Project, Small Project" category. The contest is sponsored by The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"This national recognition reflects the hard work by PennDOT designers and our contractors to deliver a much-needed transportation improvement ahead of schedule and on budget," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "The message is we can be trusted to generate significant benefits for the people of Pennsylvania."

The Top 10 winners compete for America's Transportation Awards' grand prize, to be selected by a panel of judges, and the People's Choice Award, which is selected by popular vote. Online voting is now open and will continue through Oct. 18, at www.americastransportationaward.org. The awards will be presented Oct. 31 at the AASHTO annual meeting in Biloxi, Miss.

The $1.7 million Spring Road Bridge project was completed in November 2009, several months early, by the general contractor, J.D. Eckman Inc. of Atglen, Chester County. The project enabled the contractor and subcontractors to recall 38 employees from layoff, add five new employees and one new part-time employee. Together, the companies employ slightly more than 500 people.

The new bridge replaced a 70-year-old, 188-foot steel plate span that was functionally obsolete and structurally deficient. The new structure carries nearly 5,000 vehicles a day and provides a critical link between Cumberland and Perry counties.

Vice President Joe Biden and Governor Edward G. Rendell visited the bridge in February and June 2009 to highlight it as an example of the job-creating improvement made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Governor Rendell visited the bridge on Feb. 17, 2010, to mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Recovery Act.

Media contact: Rich Kirkpatrick, 717-783-8800

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation