Citizens Bridge Painting to Close Kittanning Traffic

By Jonathan Weaver

Preparation for Phase II of the Kittanning Citizens Bridge painting project will close the bridge starting at 7PM tonight.

According to an update from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials yesterday, overnight work tonight will restrict motor traffic from crossing into the work zone.

Grey tarps have covered the bridge connecting Route 1038 (Butler Road) since Advanced Painting Systems, Inc. employees began the project in March. Crews are painting and providing structure and dam repairs, as well as approach work.

Last week, Project Manager Nate Adams said that crews were applying the finish coat of paint on the span on the Applewold-side and the main truss center span. He said that efforts have been delayed due to rainy weather conditions.

PennDOT officials originally planned for motorists to experience a lane shift at the end of July – with traffic patterns remaining the same. Construction was not done during the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, but employees have been seen working into the evening on several occasions since to try and make up for time lost due to weather.

Adams said contractors are currently requesting a time extension “for various reasons.”

“By our PennDOT specifications, they have until the end of October. But, it’s not like November 1, the weather changes so we try to get stuff done in one year instead of holding it over until Spring,” Adams said last week. “There’s a lot of work left to get done, and if the weather continues as it has with rain, it will be difficult.

“They’re doing everything they can to make sure it’s completed.”

Deck overlay work is to be performed in the Spring of 2015 under flagging operations. The $4.7 million bridge project is expected to be completed shortly after the overlay work.

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