Connesville Bridge

Connellsville is a small blue collar American town 35 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The original bridge was installed 65 years ago and spans over the Youghiogheny River and the CSX Connellsville yard. Over the years Crawford Ave Bridge been a major transportation route for the local community and allows easy access to the East and West sides of town. With the increase in traffic along PA route 711 the bridge was in the need of rehabilitation.

During the design phase the local and state officials had to work together and plan accordingly to replace the Crawford Ave Bridge, major construction project. The bridge goes right into the heart of the town of Connellsville. The impact of the traffic flow profoundly affected local businesses in the area and detours were necessary for locals to get around the area.

Construction on the $11.5 million rehab project started in January of 2024. The initial phase of the project aimed to demolish the 65-year-old bridge and replace with new galvanized girders, decking, barriers, sidewalks. In the new design, the original bridge will incorporate a shared-use path to the structure, allowing for safe pedestrian and bicycle access which will keep pedestrians safe.

Crawford Ave Bridge six-span steel stringer structure that is 490'-0" long. Galvanization of the girders, cross frames, and splice plates was chosen because of the proximity of theYoughiogheny River and the corrosive environment in the area. The utilization of Hot Dip Galvanizing gave the state and local government a solution to preserve and protect the durability of the bridge for future generations.

PennDOT District Executive Rachel Duda, the bridge now has an expanded area for vehicles, a seven-foot-wide bike lane, and a six-foot-wide sidewalk.

“I know there was some frustration (waiting for the bridge to open) but it was a short-term inconvenience for a long-term improvement, and I think you’ll see that it’s been worth it,” Duda said during the ceremony.