Freeport Bridge Project - Freeport Pennsylvania

Question: Why does the proposed design create two new streets by realigning Buffalo Street on a new roadway to the Buffalo Creek Bridge and terminating a portion of 2nd Street?
Answer: The proposed Buffalo Street realignment needs to meet two important design criteria. First, the new roadway requires a horizontal alignment which sufficiently maintains a 25 mph design speed and accommodates truck traffic. Second, the new Buffalo Street realignment and the new Buffalo Creek Bridge approach need to intersect at a 90-degree right angle. The proposed alignment meets both criteria.

Question: Will there be additional public plans displays in the future?
Answer: Yes, one additional public plans display will be held during the final design phase in late summer or early fall 2009. The plans display will be advertised through local media outlets and on this website. PennDOT project managers are available to answer questions and receive comments at anytime. For PennDOT representative contact information, please see the contacts page.

Question: Why did the Department choose to proceed with the T-intersection over the roundabout at the proposed 2nd Street/Buffalo Street intersection?
Answer: The roundabout showed promise as a safe and efficient way to move traffic through the intersection. However, the roundabout presented several disadvantages over the T-intersection. The roundabout would produce more headlight glare in adjacent residences and would require a steeper grade for the Buffalo Creek Bridge. For these reasons, the T-intersection will be advanced into final design.

Question: The Freeport Bridge has received a lot of recent press coverage regarding its low bridge rating. Is the bridge safe to drive on?
Answer - PennDOT is fully aware of the condition of the Freeport Bridge and inspects the superstructure, substructure and deck annually. The bridge was inspected in the summer of 2006 and 2007. The bridge recently underwent emergency repairs the fall of 2006 to improve superstructure elements and will most likely receive a higher bridge rating upon its next inspection. The emergency repairs will last until at least the year 2010 when the bridge rehabilitation project is scheduled to take place. PennDOT believes the structure is presently safe for public travel. However, the Department will not hesitate to close or post a weight limit on the bridge should inspections determine limitations are needed.

Question -- How will pedestrians access Freeport from Laneville with the proposed alternatives?
Answer -- The proposed bridge over Buffalo Creek will have a sidewalk on the northeast upstream side. The new bridge will be approximately 400-feet downstream from the existing Laneville Bridge.

Question – How many traffic signals will be added with the proposed design and how will they work?
Answer – The proposed design alternative would require two traffic signals. The first signal would be located at the new S.R. 0356/2nd Street (Buffalo Creek Bridge) intersection on the north side of Buffalo Creek. The second signal would be located at the new S.R. 0356/Freeport Road intersection on the north end of the Freeport Bridge.

Question – How many lanes will the Freeport Bridge have after reconstruction?
Answer – The bridge will have four lanes and a combination sidewalk/bike path.

Question – When is the project scheduled to be built?
Answer – Project Engineering will be complete in late 2009. Construction will begin in the Spring 2010 provided construction funds are available.

Question – Who do I contact to provide comments or ask questions about the project design?
Answer – Please feel free to contact Bill Oshnack, PennDOT District 12-0 Project Manager or Mark Rozich, PennDOT District 10-0 Project Manager with any questions or comments you may have. Their contact information is listed under the contacts link at the top of this page.

Question – Will the trails projects on both sides of the Allegheny River be incorporated into the project design?
Answer – Yes, a combination sidewalk/bike path will be added to the Freeport Bridge with connections through the northern approach reconfiguration to connect the to existing trails.

Question – What will happen to 2nd Street between the Buffalo Street and the 2nd Street playground?
Answer – Second (2nd) Street from Buffalo Street to 324 2nd Street will remain open from Buffalo Street with a dead-end, cul-de-sac type design near the 2nd Street Playground. On-street parking will be provided to local residents. Parking issues will be more thoroughly examined with local residents and municipal officials in the final design aspect of the project.