The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to view an online plans display for a project to rehabilitate the Route 462 Veterans Memorial (Columbia-Wrightsville) Bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River between Columbia Borough in Lancaster County and Wrightsville Borough in York County. The 48-span, 1.26-mile-long bridge was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This project includes work on the bridge deck and barriers and strengthening and repairing the bridge's underside. Roadway intersection and bicycle/pedestrian enhancements also are being considered on each end of the bridge.
The purpose of the project is to ensure the structural adequacy and modern functionality of the bridge, including effective connections with adjacent intersections, and to provide for safe access and use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023 and last until 2026.
Information, including a project overview video, roadway and bridge plans, and methods to provide comment, is available at http://www.penndot.gov/ColumbiaWrightsvilleBridge. Comments will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 13.
In addition to the bridge rehabilitation work, up to five enhancements are under consideration. These include creating a roundabout at the five-point intersection of Route 462 with North and South Second streets and Hellam Street in Wrightsville and providing an aesthetic traffic calming median at the Route 462 intersection with Rotary Park in Columbia.
Additional enhancements include connecting the Route 462 Pennsylvania Bicycle Route South, which crosses the bridge, to both Columbia Borough's Northwest River Trail and River Park and Wrightsville Borough's Mason-Dixon Trail and Riverfront Park. The potential also exists to add under-bridge lighting to help increase safety of the annual mayfly issue and enhance aesthetics of the bridge.
The purpose of the online plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns about 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 anyone needs translation/interpretation services, has special needs or has special concerns that require individual attention, he or she may contact Mark Malhenzie, project manager, at 717-783-5080 or mmalhenzie@pa.gov.
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