Here are the detours during bridge replacement on Route 715 in Chestnuthill Township

Maria Francis, Pocono Record
·1 min read

Route 715 in Chestnuthill Township is closed in the area of Camp Akiba Road and Sterling Road, with all traffic detoured as the bridge over McMichael Creek is under construction.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation started construction work on Monday, Jan. 22, to replace the existing two-span stone masonry arch bridge with a single-span concrete arch culvert.

Construction crews will be detouring truck traffic onto Sugar Hollow Road, State Road, Route 115, U.S. 209, Greenview Drive and Neola Road, while passenger cars will be detoured onto Camp Akiba and Sterling roads.

The original Route 715 bridge was built in 1910, measuring 23 feet long and 23 feet wide. It had a 15-ton weight restriction.

A closure went into effect Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, for part of Route 715 in Chestnuthill Township for a bridge replacement. At left is the Pohoqualine Fish Association at the corner of Hypsie Gap Road and Route 715.
A closure went into effect Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, for part of Route 715 in Chestnuthill Township for a bridge replacement. At left is the Pohoqualine Fish Association at the corner of Hypsie Gap Road and Route 715.

PennDOT District 5 Press Officer Ronald Young said that "the bridge had served its time… it's over 100 years old."

"Over time, with deterioration, bridges require a weight restriction to keep off some of the heavier loads that put more strain on them," he said.

According to Young, the newer bridge replacements are made to handle all legal loads. This new bridge will be bigger and stronger, measuring 32 feet long and 36 feet wide and having no weight restrictions.

Part of Route 715 is closed in Chestnuthill Township for a bridge replacement. Work began Jan. 22, 2024, and is expected to be completed in May, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Part of Route 715 is closed in Chestnuthill Township for a bridge replacement. Work began Jan. 22, 2024, and is expected to be completed in May, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Young estimates the $1,505,741 bridge replacement project will be completed in May of 2024 by the general contractor, Road-Con, Inc., of West Chester.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA.com.

Maria Francis covers K-12 education and real estate, housing and development for the Pocono Record. Reach her at mfrancis@poconorecord.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: PennDOT: Detours in place for Route 715 closure, bridge project