Motorists approaching Tunkhannock from the south across the Susquehanna River Bridge on Route 29 should expect delays through May.
An expansion dam near the bridge's highest point needs to be replaced, said James May, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. The problem was discovered on the 34-year-old bridge during a routine inspection.
Mr. May said he wouldn't call the work emergency, "but if we don't do it now, it will create its own problems later."
PennDOT project engineer Jeff Soroka said that five feet of the bridge on each side of the present expansion seam will be cut away and replaced.
Some area businesses were not happy about the timing of the latest roadwork.
Chris Maruzzelli of Antonio's Pizzeria, Mallia Evans of Brady & Cavany Sporting Goods, and Ann Anderson of New Shoe Store Plus - all in Eaton Twp. - were already bemoaning a slowdown in traffic Monday afternoon, fearing that it could reach a crawl, and they wondered why the work couldn't be done at night.
"If the bridge is broken or nearly so, it's got to be fixed; we don't have a real choice there," said Maureen Dispenza, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce executive director. "But it's clearly going to hurt many businesses already suffering. Let's hope they can keep it going."
Kriger Construction of Dickson City will be performing the rehabilitation work across the bridge that normally sees about 7,500 vehicles a day, Mr. May said.
He said major delays are expected throughout the area and motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes, if possible.
There are two alternative routes for those who don't want to wait. Drive down Keelersburg Road to Falls and come back up the river to Tunkhannock via Route 92, about 21 miles.
Or they could go on Sugar Hollow Road to Mehoopany and take Route 87 to Route 6 and follow it east to Tunkhannock, for a trip covering 20 miles.
Both alternative routes, however, have restrictions for tractor-trailer traffic.
Contact the writer: bbaker@wcexaminer.com