Six Bridges Set For Replacement

Six Cameron County bridges will be replaced over the next four years while county residents continue to receive bus service through the Area Transportation Authority.

Those are the local highlights of the new 12-year plan announced by the State Transportation Authority. The plan calls for more than $9 million to be spent in Cameron County between 2006 and September 2010.

In addition to continued funding for the ATA, the plan provides money to replace these bridges:
--Rt. 120, Johnson Run
--Rt. 120, West Creek
--Rt. 555, Driftwood
--Rt. 555, Hicks Run
--Rt. 2001, Laurel Branch
--Rt. 2001, White Oak Draft.

It's part of a $40 billion allotment across the state over 12 years to improve highways, bridges, aviation, rail freight and public transit.

All of the Cameron County projects fall within "period one" of the plan, meaning that the funds are already allotted and the work will begin before Sept. 30, 2010.

Elk County has been targeted for more than $100 million in period one projects. Among them: new alignment for the Route 219-North Johnsonburg bypass, replacement of bridges on Rt. 1006 (Clarion River), Rt. 3002 (Irwin Run) and Rt. 301 (Spring Creek) and an allotment to the St. Marys Municipal Airport.

State Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler said the new 12-year plan "reflects the hard work and consensus of our 23 planning partners in

assembling their regional plans. This is a process that is dependent on the involvement of local and regional partners."

Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission was the liaison for the local area.