CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Board of Commissioners set strategic goals when establishing an infrastructure management plan for the county’s inventory of county-owned bridges. They are making steady progress.
In 2024, the county completed two major bridge replacements: the Leafmore Road Bridge over Back Creek, which serves as a border between Hamilton and St. Thomas townships, and the Hickory Run Road Bridge over Conodoguinet Creek, connecting Lurgan and Southampton townships. The Leafmore Bridge opened Aug. 7, and the Hickory Run Bridge opened Oct. 17.
Thanks to its strategic approach, the county was well prepared when state officials inquired about identifying transportation infrastructure improvements eligible for funding through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, county officials noted. As a result, three bridge projects have secured between 95 percent and 100 percent of the requested funding through the federal program. These projects will enter the design phase within the next 12 months, and eight additional bridges are prioritized for replacement by 2034.
Once these projects are completed, Franklin County will have successfully addressed all current poor-condition bridges in its inventory, county officials said.
For decades, Franklin County has been investing in its bridge program, including employing a dedicated maintenance crew. These investments have resulted in a significantly lower percentage of poor-condition bridges compared to the state average. According to PennDOT data, 34 percent of locally owned bridges in Pennsylvania are either weight-restricted or closed, while only 10 percent of Franklin County’s bridges fall into this category, county officials said.
This achievement reflects the county’s intentional approach over the past 20 years, despite challenges such as replacing outdated “non-composite adjacent box beam” bridges. Nine of these bridges were in service in the county until two – Leafmore Road and Hickory Run Road – were replaced this year. Four of the seven remaining bridges of this type are also prioritized for replacement. These bridges, common in the 1960s and 1970s due to lower construction costs, are now prohibited by PennDOT standards and require replacement as they deteriorate.
Franklin County’s comprehensive approach involves assessing bridge conditions, prioritizing repair and replacement needs, and securing substantial funding. The Franklin County Commissioners, in collaboration with their bridge engineering firm, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., developed a 10-year capital improvement plan, county officials noted.
This plan identifies and prioritizes needs for all 91.5 bridges based on factors such as anticipated lifespan, local planning goals, and the bridge’s importance to the roadway network, including traffic volumes and emergency access. By proactively identifying these needs, the county can budget more effectively, seek funding opportunities, and ensure timely replacements to avoid load restrictions or closures that would inconvenience drivers.
“Ultimately, we are committed to providing a safe and reliable driving experience for Franklin County residents in the most fiscally responsible way possible,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “Our bridge infrastructure management plan allows us to invest wisely in our bridges, maximizing service while minimizing costs and disruptions to the county’s transportation system.”
The bridge infrastructure management plan is the latest initiative in Franklin County’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its bridge program, building on over 20 years of dedicated investment and strategic planning.
