Bridge Replacement Project: Central Avenue Over Kelsey Creek

Located within the downtown streets of Wellsboro Borough, the bridge replacement project removed a structurally-deficient bridge from service while maintaining direct communication lines at all times to the region’s 911 call center located in the courthouse, provided an acceptable detour route for buses exiting from the high school, limited disturbance to the surrounding buildings and businesses, and provided the borough with a signature structure.

At the very beginning of the project, the borough was interested in Larson Design Group (LDG) designing a structure that would be recognized by the community and tourists, and maintain some characteristics of the downtown historic buildings. LDG developed several unique structure types with aesthetic features before the final was chosen. The new structure is a precast concrete box culvert with a clear span of 20 feet to match the width of the adjacent channel walls, with a vertical clearance of 6.25 feet. The structure has a 40-foot roadway width, which provides a larger turning radius for vehicles turning at the adjacent intersection and 6-foot sidewalks on each side of the structure. The aesthetic treatments for the structure are incorporated into the barrier and wing walls. A brick veneer that closely resembles the brick color and appearance of the adjacent county courthouse was used to add downtown historic characteristics. Real brick veneer was chosen over a stained concrete formed to resemble brick. Four concrete columns were also detailed at the corners of the structure to include the borough’s signature historic street lamps visible throughout downtown Wellsboro.

LDG completed the design and construction inspection services for the bridge replacement project.