Just 2% of the 2,100 state-owned bridges in the six counties have decks in poor condition, with 15% of the 4,000 road miles in poor shape, but the average age for bridges is 50, which means the many older ones are nearing the need for major rehab or replacement; while currently available road funds are insufficient to keep up with resurfacing needs, according to Greenland.

Bridges of concern include county-owned North Eighth Street Bridge in Juniata over the Norfolk Southern mainline, on a stretch that includes a bridge over an old railyard and another over the Little Juniata River, Greenland said.

There is advanced deterioration on a beam of the mainline span, which has caused the bridge to be posted, Greenland said.

Replacing the beams and decking would normally constitute a fix, but there’s a catch: the clearance above the top of the mainline rails is less than 20 feet, and current NS requirements are 23 feet, Greenland said.

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. crew members work on the southbound passing lane of Interstate 99 north of the Plank Road exit on Monday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

That potentially means lifting the grade by three or four feet, which would require a full bridge replacement and major adjustments to accommodate local industrial properties, driveways — and potentially the bridges over the former rail yard and river, he said. That could raise the cost from $3 million or $4 million to $60 million or $80 million, he said.

PennDOT is looking toward a consultant’s study to examine the situation and negotiate with the railroad company.

Road funds this year total $77 million, which isn’t nearly enough to keep up with the proper 15- to 20-year resurfacing cycle for the region’s 4,000 roadway miles, according to Greenland.

Many of the roads that could use attention are in OK condition, but if resurfacing treatment isn’t done before long, they could deteriorate, which ends up costing much more, according to Greenland.

Roads of concern include Route 164 between Roaring Spring and Martinsburg, which hasn’t been paved since 2004.

It’s in good condition, but given the district’s financial situation, there are no plans to work on it for the next several years.

The worry is that when deterioration begins in earnest, it will happen fast.

“We’re monitoring it,” Greenland said.

The district has $400 million available over the next four years, a 27% increase over 10 years ago.

That sounds good, but expenses have outstripped that increase, so the district actually has less purchasing power now, according to Greenland.

Projects planned

District 9 plans to pave 167 miles of road this year, repair or replace 92 bridges and seal coat 453 road miles, according to a PennDOT news release.

There are two major Blair County projects that are continuing from last year:

— Improvements along I-99 between Newry and Plank Road, costing a total of $23.6 million

— Improvements along Frankstown Road between Amelia Avenue and Plank Road, costing a total of $7.5 million

Major Blair County projects beginning this year:

— Resurfacing of Route 22 eastbound from Route 764 to the Cambria County line, $4.3 million

— Resurfacing of Route 36 between Frankstown Road and Mill Run Road and replacement of Mill Run Bridge, $7.4 million

— Intersection improvements at the intersection of Route 36 and Route 164, $2.1 million

— Replacement of the Sink Run culvert under Route 453, $1.2 million.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-381-3152.