New Driftwood Bridge looks likely

A lengthy battle for a new bridge along Rt. 555 in Driftwood will likely have a happy ending for the supporters.

The current bridge, which is restricted to one lane, is subject to weight restrictions due to its deterioration.

The Pa Dept. of Transportation hopes to solicit bids in the second quarter of 2007, with construction to begin shortly thereafter. Private property issues have stalled the project, according to one source, but should be resolved in the coming weeks.

Economic development and tourism officials have been lobbying for a new bridge. The project became more critical last year when a new business, Pennsylvania Pellets and Millwork, owned by Ryan Gooch of Coudersport, opened in a facility formerly occupied by Croftwood Mills.

Tourist promoters have been seeking a wider, more stable bridge and an improvement in the current traffic routing, which contains sharp turns, as they anticipate an increased number of visitors in the coming years.