DRIFTWOOD BRIDGE JOB BEGINS
WeeBull's staying put; Masonic Lodge to be moved

With landowner disputes apparently settled, work has begun on the new Route 555 bridge in Driftwood Borough.

Pennsylvania's Dept. of Transportation (PennDOT) had planned to purchase WeeBull's Restaurant from owner Jeff Smeal and demolish it as part of the process, but the two sides couldn't reach a sales agreement. Now, according to PennDOT, the building will stay put- at least for now.

PennDOT could act under the eminent domain law and demolish it or force its relocation later, but "for the time being, it's staying where it is," according to PennDOT Assistant Maintenance Manager Don Bowser.

Meanwhile, the other building in the path of the construction activity, the Masonic Lodge, will be lifted and moved to a yet-to-decided location.

A landmark monument honoring Pennsylvania's famed Bucktail Regiment will not be disturbed, Bowser said.

Agreements have also been reached for acquisition of other properties near the construction site, Bowser pointed out.

Replacing the old Route 555 bridge that has was built over 65 years ago, the new structure will allow more commercial and recreational traffic in and out of the county from its southwestern side.

While the 278 foot, three span concrete bridge is being built, the steel bridge that currently stands will be used to manage the flow of traffic.

Last fall, structural deficiencies forced PennDOT to impose a 13-ton weight limit on the old bridge. Combination loads such as tractor trailers, may be as heavy as 23 tons.

Bowser said that plans have been made to alter the appearance of Driftwood's "downtown" to integrate the wider spanning bridge.

In December, Clearwater was awarded the bid for the $3.4 million project. Construction began Monday, exactly two weeks after the project was scheduled to get underway.

Contract allows for two years for completion, but Clearwater believes the bridge will be done in one year.

The new bridge will accommodate two-way traffic (the current bridge is too narrow for two-way traffic) and heavier vehicles. It will also eliminate a 90-degree turn on the Driftwood (northeastern) side of the river.

This bridge will be a welcome development to commercial haulers, including those servicing the Pennsylvania Pellet & Millwork plant in Driftwood. Earlier this year, that company was awarded a $137,000 PennDOT grant to reconstruct and extend a railroad siding leading to a loading dock.