County Applying for Grant to Fix Bridges in Poor Condition

After weighing options, Centre County is applying for a $2.1 million Multimodal Transportation Funds grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to fix the Mill Street Bridge in Howard Borough and the Railroad Street Bridge in Bellefonte Borough.

Both bridges are in poor condition. County commissioners had looked at three bridges when considering applying for the grant, and announced the decision to apply for these two bridges at their Nov. 13 meeting.

Centre County Assistant Director of Planning Mike Bloom said the Mill Street Bridge, built in 1915, is in poor condition and provides sole access to eight homes and one or two businesses, as well as a boat launch to Bald Eagle State Park. The cost of that replacement would be around $1.5 million, which includes an installation of a temporary access during construction. The hope is to receive a $1 million grant for the project.

Bloom said the Railroad Street Bridge in Bellefonte is in a similar situation to the Howard Bridge, in that is the sole means of access to about 10 homes and a stream. The bridge was built in 1925 and is listed in poor condition. The replacement cost would also be around $1.5 million, including the cost of installing a temporary access for the residents affected.

The total cost to repair both bridges would be $3 million. If the county receives the grant, the other $900,000 for the projects would be provided by the county — $500,000 from Act 13 liquid fuels funds and $400,000 from the county-wide $5 vehicle registration fee.

Bellefonte Borough manager Ralph Stewart said the Railroad Street Bridge has been inspected recently and it should be replaced in the near future. He said the bridge is the only way in and out of a neighborhood in Spring Township. Stewart said the borough would look into helping the county with funds.

Bloom said Howard Borough also is looking into finding funding to help the county with part of the costs.

The county also considered applying for a grant for the Eagleville Road Bridge, which, at 213 feet, is the longest locally owned bridge in Centre County. It is the primary access to Eagleville for about 30 homes. But, that bridge continues to be in fair condition.

Bloom said he is unsure if PennDOT will award the money, since it recently granted another multimodal grant to the county, but the decision will be known in the spring. Construction on the bridges would not begin until late 2020 at the earliest.