North Middleton Township, Pa. - What quickly became known as the "Biden Bridge” after the vice president visited it has reopened.

The Route 34 bridge in North Middleton Township was one of the first federal stimulus projects in the midstate.

For the last six months, Bill McDonald has added about 15 minutes to his commute while the bridge was closed for construction. But for him, it was extra time worth taking.

“Just the look of modern times compared to the old metal-sided bridge, it’s a vast improvement,” he said.

"If you just looked at it, it just looked bad. There were holes. It was rusting and at some points you could actually see the creek below it,” said Fritzi Schreffler of PennDOT.

Now, $1.7 million and some good weather later, the bridge is done - five months ahead of schedule.

Among some of the improvements - the bridge was widened 14 feet. Not just in the lanes, but in new shoulders.

PennDOT says it saved some money by finishing early, but hasn’t determined how much yet.

"But what happens is we were given a lump sum in Pa. to fit any projects underneath that,” said Schreffler.

As for jobs, the contractor says it hired about 40 new workers over the summer. None will be laid off just because this project is over.

"It’s really great,” said McDonald. “It shows you this stimulus can be used for some good things."

And PennDOT says there's more to come.

"We're hoping to announce another round of projects that's going to happen in the district,” said Schreffler.

The guardrail on either side of the bridge still needs to be strengthened. Crews will likely complete that work next week.

 

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