Work began Thursday (September 4) on the rehabilitation of the PA 61 Bridge over the Schuylkill River in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County.

The bridge project entails deck patching, a latex overlay of the deck, expansion joint replacements, new approach slabs and pavement markings.

The project also includes improving roadway drainage, updating safety features (guiderails, pavement markings) & improving intersections & traffic flow. Long term, 24-hour single lane conditions on PA 61 north and south will return in Spring 2009.

The project is expected to be complete in July 2009.  All schedules are weather dependent.

The general contractor on the $1.944 million project is J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Pa.

The PA 61 Bridge was constructed in 1959.  It is a 249 feet long, 62 feet wide, concrete I-beam structure.  It carries an average daily traffic volume of 21,060 vehicles.