26-03-2025
Ohio firm approved for new Turtle Creek Road Bridge
LEWISBURG — The township supervisors in East Buffalo Township awarded a contract to a firm from Ohio to provide a new bridge over Turtle Creek.
At Monday night's public meeting, supervisors unanimously approved a bid from U.S. Bridge, of Cambridge, Ohio, for $163,985 for the bridge steel superstructure. The damaged bridge on Turtle Creek Road shifted off its foundation during a severe storm in August 2023.
'This is to get the 'Lego set' to build the bridge, the decking of the bridge and all the steel,' township Manager Jo Helwig said.
Bid notices were advertised on March 4 and March 11, and then received online via PennBID for the fabrication and delivery of a prefabricated steel superstructure. Bids were publicly opened on Monday afternoon prior to the meeting, Helwig said.
U.S. Bridge was the only vendor that answered and submitted all documentation for the bid. The bid was reviewed by Jason Snyder, maintenance engineer for PennDOT's Local Assistance Program, Helwig said.
The goal is to remove the damaged bridge near the end of May and install the new one in July, officials said.
The supervisors voted last year to apply for a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank (PIB) loan worth $765,000 toward the replacement of the bridge. On Monday night, they approved the conditions of that loan: a five-year loan with a 4.25 percent annual interest rate and quarterly repayments of $42,138.90.
PIB is a PennDOT program that provides low-interest loans to help fund transportation projects within the commonwealth. The goal of the PIB is to leverage state and federal funds, accelerate priority transportation projects, spur economic development and assist local governments with their transportation needs, according to PennDOT.
Engineer Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc., of Lewisburg, provided an original estimate of $775,000. The associated costs are $610,000 for construction, $50,000 for preliminary engineering, $99,000 for final engineering, $10,000 for utilities and $6,000 for right-of-ways.
The bridge is closed to traffic.
Additionally, the supervisors discussed the deteriorating chain link fence at the Smith Baseball Field, 705 Fairground Road, Lewisburg. The estimated replacement cost is nearly $70,000, so supervisors said they will seek additional quotes and would consider replacing it in 2026.
In other business, the township approved:
* The purchase of a Diamond C 22-inch hydraulically damped tilt trailer from Fayette Trailers LLC for $18,539. The township will sell a 2000 Cronkhite trailer once the replacement is received.
* A maintenance agreement with Lewisburg Area School District that designates the school district being responsible for the maintenance of signs and flashing lights installed at Route 45 and 20th Street near two district school buildings.
* A proposal from Herbert, Rowland and Grubic Inc. (HRG) to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) application, not to exceed $20,000.
