Another week, another bridge slated to be torn down.

On Thursday, officials with the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation said the demolition of the U.S. Route 219 Bradford
Bypass bridge over Elm Street will begin next week, leading to the
closure of that street during normal working hours – from 7 a.m. to
7 p.m.

The demolition will take place in the southbound lanes of
traffic. Officials said a short-term detour will be in effect
during the demolition of the bridge and traffic should follow the
detour route.

There was no exact date given for the demolition to begin,
however, work there will likely begin on Monday.

News of the demolition – being conducted by Bob Cummins
Construction Co. of Bradford – marks the third bridge in less than
three weeks that will come down as part of the larger $55.4
million, two-year bypass renovation and reconstruction project on
the bypass.

All told, Cummins is charged with knocking down six bridges
along the bypass; after Elm Street, the company will be moving on
to Mill Street – the largest of the bridges – slated for demolition
around June 12, before going to Kendall Avenue and lastly, Bolivar
Creek.

Meanwhile, officials said the demolition of the Forman Street
bridge will continue, with major traffic delays of up to 15 minutes
possible in that area. Flaggers will be in place to control the
traffic flow and motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes
to avoid the delays.

Sanitary sewer line work will also be taking place on Main
Street, officials said, adding the thoroughfare will be reduced to
one lane of traffic during the work. Flagmen will be in place and
traffic delays are expected to occur.

Officials said earlier the demolition of the Main Street bridge
was put in the forefront of the project after it was discovered the
sewer line that needed removed was further down into the ground
than originally expected.

All three bridges – Elm, Main and Forman streets – are in or
near the central business district, leading to possible traffic
congestion in various locations and further use of the city’s side
streets.

The Mill Street bridge will remain closed as crews at that site
continue working on the footer for a temporary pier, according to
PennDOT officials.

Also, drainage work will continue within the project area –
Mascaro is busy working on the southbound lanes of the bypass,
which are in the most need of repair.

In addition to the bridge work, motorists will again find
numerous ramps to the bypass closed during the upcoming week.

According to PennDOT officials, the following ramps will be
closed: southbound off-ramp at Forman Street, and all southbound on
and off-ramps at Kendall and Seaward avenues. Detour signs will be
in place for all ramp closures.

Meanwhile, the following ramps will remain open: all northbound
and southbound ramps at Owens Way; northbound off-ramp at Elm
Street; southbound on-ramp at Elm Street; northbound on-ramp at
Forman Street; northbound on and off-ramps at Kendall Avenue; and
all ramps at Bolivar Drive.

Traffic will be in this configuration until further notice.
Motorists are also advised to watch for slow moving and stopped
vehicles throughout the construction zone.