Jason Zang reports the new Commercial Street Bridge is on track to reopen the Parkway East ahead of schedule.
Jason Zang, PennDOT District 11 Executive, stated that the Parkway East is expected to reopen by the middle of next week, several days ahead of the original August 3 forecast. The accelerated timeline follows a successful operation where contractors moved the new Commercial Street Bridge into place. The bridge, which weighs approximately 22 million pounds, moved 96 feet in just seven hours on Sunday using a greased rail system and 42 independent skids. While the total distance required is 102 feet, workers intentionally paused the movement six feet short to ensure the structure sits perfectly on its foundations. Remaining tasks include installing concrete barriers, paving the asphalt, and applying a protective polyester polymer concrete coating to extend the bridge's lifespan. Zang noted that while the Parkway East will reopen early, Commercial Street will likely remain closed until August 3. The project aims to provide a durable solution for commuters who have been using 45-minute detour routes since the highway closed on July 10.