From staff reports
PennDOT has announced it will begin mitigation efforts for the South Perry Street Bridge over Oil Creek in Titusville.
Following a determination that the structurally deficient bridge does not have a documented need to warrant the use of state or federal funds for its rehabilitation or replacement, PennDOT will now focus on mitigation efforts for the anticipated loss of the historically significant structure.
PennDOT estimates that as the preliminary engineering process plays forward, it would be at least two years before any actual demolition could occur.
The 117-year-old steel-truss bridge is currently posted with a 3-ton weight limit, and has been deemed structurally deficient.
The decision not to repair or replace the bridge was made by PennDOT, with concurrence by the Federal Highway Administration, following completion of a purpose and needs study, which examines the vehicular and pedestrian use of the bridge.
Mitigation efforts will begin by advertising the bridge for sale to agencies or individuals interested in preserving the bridge for use on-site or removal to another location. If there are no buyers, other mitigation efforts will be addressed if the structure is demolished.
PennDOT will also examine any mitigation in the local transportation network required due to the loss of the bridge, which is owned by Crawford County.
A public meeting on mitigation efforts is expected to be scheduled for July.
