After more than two years of construction, the $28
million four-lane bridge in Jim Thorpe opened Friday – potentially the most
significant transportation project in Carbon County in decades, a state
official said.
The bridge spans the Lehigh River connecting Routes 903
and 209, allowing better flow of traffic between east Jim Thorpe and the
downtown. It means that the business district will be more easily accessible
and will have a major impact on the businesses and residents of the Jim Thorpe
and nearby communities.
“We appreciate the patience of the legislators, local
officials and business owners during this project,” said Michael Rebert,
district executive for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, who
touted the importance of the new bridge. “It is an honor to open this
magnificent structure with them here today.”
The bridge is named after a Jim Thorpe native and fallen
army hero, Sgt. Andrew “A.J.” Baddick, who died in 2003 in Iraq while trying to
save another soldier whose Humvee was attacked and flipped into water.
PennDOT invited Baddick’s family to open the memorial
bridge during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Sgt. A.J. Baddick, a native of Jim
Thorpe and Carbon County, is an excellent example of courage, loyalty,” said
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, who spoke at the ceremony. “His sacrifice best
represents the values of the United States armed forces.”
The 961-foot continuous steel plate girder structure is
about 85 feet wide. Federal funds paid for 80 percent of the cost of
construction, which began in March 2014. The state paid for the remaining 20
percent.
The existing two-lane Jim Thorpe Memorial Bridge that was
previously being used was built in 1953 and rehabilitated in 1976. It is
expected to be demolished in late July or early August. Officials say it is too
structurally deficient to repurpose as a walking bridge or as part of a park.
Allan A. Myers LP of Worcester in Montgomery County was
the general contractor for the project.
Source: LVB
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