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Ohio River bridge opinions span the ages
Friday, May 12, 2000 By Rachael Conway
Ambridge residents support proposal for new bridge, but want the old one to remain
Increased traffic and a need for better highway access are two reasons the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants to build a new bridge over the Ohio River between Ambridge and Baden.
Many who attended a PennDOT public meeting on the matter at Ambridge Area High School last night didn't mind the idea of another link between Route 65 on the Ambridge side and Route 51, which runs past Aliquippa.
But several Ambridge residents were worried that PennDOT would shut down the existing Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge, which empties onto Ambridge's main street, after the new bridge is completed.
"That would really hurt the town," said Ambridge Councilwoman Judy Harrison.
PennDOT, however, is treating the new bridge as a separate project and closure of the existing bridge isn't planned at this time, said PennDOT project engineer Jeff Thompson.
Deterioration of the current bridge has been a long-standing problem for PennDOT, he said.
The Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge was closed for a short time in January 1999 after a barge slammed into one of its piers, and the bridge will close from June 7 through Aug. 24 for maintenance.
Structural problems have forced the state to impose weight limits.
Even so, PennDOT expects the bridge to last at least another 12 years, Thompson said.
Because plans for the new bridge are in the earliest preliminary stages, PennDOT has not set a start date for construction, Thompson said.
Similar projects have taken five to 15 years to get under way, he said, adding that the project could easily cost $100 million.
PennDOT will work with other state agencies to determine the best location for the new bridge. The state wants to avoid disturbing historical sites and other significant areas, Thompson said.
Old Economy Village, a sewage treatment plant, a steel mill and the site of Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne's Legionville encampment -- believed to be the first U.S. Army boot camp -- are all in the four-mile stretch between Ambridge and Baden.
Doug Ward, a member of the Legionville Historical Society, said, "We are terrified that you are going to put the bridge right through there."
Thompson assured Ward that the state would only consider disturbing a historic site as a last resort.
Thompson said each possible site would be researched for economic, historic and environmental impact.
Closing the current bridge was a concern that state officials heard throughout the night.
The main water line from the Ambridge Water Authority reservoir in Raccoon Township to the authority's 40,000 customers is attached to the bridge, Ambridge Councilman Mike Mikulich said.
"It would cost millions of dollars to move that line," he said.
Rachael Conway is a free-lance writer.
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