Route 16 bridge between Greencastle and Mercersburg re-opens earlier than expected

Travelers from Greencastle and points east to Mercersburg and points west got an early Christmas gift this week.

The bridge on Route 16 over the West Branch of Conococheague Creek between Mercersburg Borough and the village of Welsh Run in Montgomery Township has been re-opened, early.

PennDOT officials said the deck replacement project that started in April had been scheduled to take seven months to complete. However, George S. Hann & Son, Inc. of  Ft. Littleton, Fulton County, finished the job nearly three months ahead of schedule.

Since mid-April traffic has been detoured from the main highway for replacement of the bridge’s superstructure. The former bridge, built in 1941, had been classified as structurally deficient.

The $865,451 contract included bridge demolition; replacement of the steel beams, bridge deck and parapets; roadway approach construction, guiderail and sign installation and new traffic lines.

Route 16, known locally as Buchanan Trail, averages 5,618 vehicles traveled daily.