Bridge Collapses During Demolition in North East Township: Safety Measures Prevent Injuries

Bridge Collapses Unexpectedly During Demolition in North East Township

In an unexpected turn of events, the majority of the Route 20 bridge over Twenty Mile Creek in North East Township collapsed on Wednesday morning, ahead of its scheduled demolition. The bridge, which had been closed since February due to safety concerns, was slated for removal this fall and replacement next year.

During the demolition process, an excavator was working on one span when two additional spans and two of the bridge’s three concrete support piers suddenly gave way. The third support pier and the span where the excavator was operating remained intact. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) spokeswoman Jillian Harry confirmed that no injuries were reported, emphasizing that safety measures were in place to protect all personnel involved.

A video of the incident, posted on social media, captured the moment of collapse. Harry noted that while the public might interpret the video differently, PennDOT was aware of the bridge’s condition, which prompted its closure earlier this year. She stressed that the demolition was proceeding as planned and that the key takeaway from the footage is that everyone remained safe throughout the incident.

The demolition, which began on Monday, was originally intended to progress one span at a time, with debris removal from the creek between each stage. Initial plans aimed to complete the process by the end of next week. However, the unexpected collapse has altered the timeline. Crews will now focus on removing all fallen spans before addressing the single remaining span.

Built in 1973, the bridge was part of a $9.6 million demolition and replacement project contracted to Mekis Construction of Butler County. The collapse, while unplanned, has accelerated parts of the demolition process, though it remains to be seen how this will affect the overall project timeline.

As the situation develops, local authorities and PennDOT officials continue to monitor the site, ensuring public safety and working towards the successful completion of this critical infrastructure project.