The Lower Smith Gap Road Bridge over Buckwha Creek in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, will be closed beginning tomorrow (March 1) at 7 a.m. for the replacement of the 89-year old structure.    

During the closure, traffic will be detoured over Little Gap Road, Kunkletown Road, and Chestnut Ridge Drive.

Crews will demolish the bridge and replace it with a pre-stressed concrete, spread-box beam bridge.  Additional work includes the realignment of the intersection of Lower Smith Gap and Little Gap roads, making it a “T” intersection.  Crews will also perform drainage improvements, line painting, and install guiderail and sidewalks.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of July 2008.   

Nimaris Construction, Inc. of Bath, Pa. is the general contractor on the $3.48 million project.

The Buckwha Creek/Lower Smith Gap Road Bridge was constructed in 1918.  It is a 64 feet long, 17 feet four inch wide, reinforced concrete arch bridge.  The new Bridge will be 72 feet long and 33 feet five inches wide. 

Lower Smith Gap Road has an average daily traffic of 1,749 vehicles.