BELLEFONTE — Three area bridges are in need of repair and Centre County is looking for two possible $1.365 million grants in order to cover the cost.
The bridges are in different stages of deterioration, but all are in need of work soon. The county applied for a grant to fix the three bridges last year, but did not secure the funds.
Located on Lower Coleville Road, Spring Township, T-942 is the bridge in the most serious condition according to Mike Bloom, from the Centre County Planning Commission. With an estimated repair cost of $800,000, the bridge is currently on a weight restriction, limited to 19 tons. This allows only one lane to be used.
Bloom said the Front Street Bridge in Curtin Township is also a large concern. It currently has hairline cracks developing on two outside concrete beans that will most likely deteriorate further and cause weight restrictions in the future.
“Especially concerning is that this is a critical link to the community and virtually the only access for residents,” said Bloom. This bridge also is looking at an $800,000 price tag for repairs.
The other bridge that will be part of the three-bridge bundle is Fox Gap Road in Miles Township. The repairs needed to fix this bridge are estimated to cost $350,000. The superstructure is beginning to exhibit signs of leaking joints and normal wear that could eventually lead to future issues, said Bloom.
Bloom is hoping to submit grant applications to the state’s Department of Transportation and Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Funds program, and is looking to cover 70 percent of the repair cost by the end of March. The additional cost of the repair, $585,000, will be covered by Centre County with Act 13 At-Risk Local Bridge Funds. Act 13 provides money from the taxation of natural gas to repair damage caused by the natural gas industry.
