Published: November 10, 2009 10:23 pm      

PennDOT OKs $2.3M Maust Bridge project

SOMERSET — Replacement of the Maust Bridge over the Casselman River is now on Penn-DOT’s to-do list.

The Somerset County commissioners learned Tuesday that the Elk Lick Township bridge on Moser Road has been accepted for replacement.

The $2.3-million project will begin with design work over the next few years.

The current span has a 10-ton limit. The new bridge will not have a weight restriction, said Craig Weaver, a vice president with engineers The EADS Group.

Commissioner Jimmy Marker noted that the wrought-iron Maust Bridge was used as a replacement for traffic when another span in the area became structurally deficient.

Maust handles an estimated 50 to 100 vehicles per day.

Ninety-five percent of the work will be paid for through gasoline tax revenues received by the state and federal governments. And Weaver said the county likely will be reimbursed for the 5 percent local share through a separate state program.

The county owns 61 bridges.

In other business, the commissioners agreed to let CGI Communications put together short videos for inclusion on the county’s Web site.

The company is from Rochester, N.Y., President Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said.

The short films will highlight areas of interest and could spark interest in the region by businesses or tourists.

The work will be paid for through sponsorships at no cost to the county.