Published: April 05, 2008 10:45 pm      

Ferndale Bridge work delayed

A much-needed bridge project on the Ferndale-Johnstown line has been delayed.

The $3 million Ferndale Bridge job was supposed to begin in early March. But officials now say they do not know when the project will proceed due to a contractual problem.

“It’s on hold until we get further notice,” said Pam Kane, a PennDOT District 9 spokeswoman.

Kane said the project’s contractor, Brayman Construction Corp. of Butler County, is negotiating with railroad giant CSX Corp. over access to a nearby railway.

“It’s just a matter of getting the wording right – that’s really all it is,” Kane said.

The bridge, which carries Route 403 over the Stonycreek River, was built after Johnstown’s 1936 Flood and has deteriorated.

It is due for repairs, including a deck replacement and truss rehabilitation. “Approach” work on the nearby roadway also is planned, Kane said.

PennDOT plans to keep one lane open for traffic during construction, with temporary signals on either side of the span.

On some nights, however, the bridge will close completely.

PennDOT recommends a nearly 11-mile detour when the bridge is closed, but local drivers likely will follow shorter routes such as Franklin Street.

Kane said PennDOT initially had a problem synchronizing temporary traffic signals with railroad-warning lights, but she said that issue has been resolved.

Once the project begins, crews have until July 2009 to complete repairs, Kane said.