A major construction project is about to begin on the Lititz Pike in Lancaster.
In 18 months there will be a new bridge and new traffic patterns for drivers entering Lancaster from the north. But it also means some delays and headaches in the meantime.
Mike Sisson of Michael Baker, LLC, the company hired to do the work says the bridge is in desperate need of repairs. "The bridge has been around since the 1930s and it's in pretty sad shape and it needs to be replaced."
The 18-month project is scheduled to begin on March 11.
The $12.7 million improvement will create a new bridge over the Amtrak rails to funnel traffic directly to Duke Street and then into the city. Parts of Duke and Liberty Streets will also be widened as part of the project.
When construction begins, the old bridge will remain open for traffic, but once the new bridge is complete, the one that's more than 80-years-old, will be torn down.
Sisson, says traffic congestion can be limited if drivers stay focused on the road and not on the workers. "With any construction, you don't have to slow down and take a look. We're going as fast as we can to inconvenience the motorist as little as possible."
The project is expected to be finished in October, 2014.
