Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that work will now begin June 3 to rehabilitate the structurally deficient US 209 (East Broad Street) Bridge over the Little Schuylkill River in Tamaqua. The work was originally scheduled to begin next Tuesday morning (May 28).

The project includes the removal of the sidewalk spans, replacement of the deck and beams, bridge widening with pier extensions, installation of new sidewalks, and other miscellaneous construction.Starting June 3, and throughout the duration of the project, US 209 will be closed and detoured between Pine and Greenwood streets. The detour will utilize PA 309 and PA 54, while the detour for vehicles weighing over 30 tons or 40 tons for combinations will utilize PA 309, PA 54, US 209, PA 443 and PA 902.Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc. of Blooming Glen, Pa. is the general contractor on the $2,493,465 project.The current three span arch masonry bridge, constructed in 1904, is 100 feet long and 58 feet wide bridge. After the project, the bridge will be 116 feet long and 58 feet wide.This section of US 209 has an average daily traffic volume of 6,453 vehicles.PennDOT states that the project is anticipated to be complete by November 2014. They added that all schedules are subject to change.