PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch announced that Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners was selected to replace 558 bridges across the state.

The team, which included 11 Pennsylvania-based subcontractors in its proposal, must begin construction in summer 2015 and complete the replacements within 36 months. Pennsylvania retains ownership of the bridges, but the team is responsible for maintaining each bridge for 25 years after its replacement.The team's $899 million proposal was selected based on scoring that considered cost, financial capability to carry out the project, background and experience in managing comparable projects, and understanding of the project. The project will cost an average of $65 million annually for the 28-year contract term.The average cost for design, construction and maintenance per bridge in the project is $1.6 million. Through PennDOT's standard process, the cost would be an average of more than $2 million."The goal for this project is not only finding cost savings, but also to minimize impact to the traveling public," Schoch said. "This team has thoroughly detailed their traffic control plans and expects to finish construction eight months earlier than required."Bridges in the Times News area in the project include:Carbon County:• Mahoning Township: Located along Packerton Hollow, which carries Route 209 over Beaver Run. It is a 21-foot, single span, concrete bridge constructed in 1937.• Packer Township: Located along Gerhards, Quakake Road, which carries Route 4010 over Quakake Creek. It is a 34-foot, single span, concrete bridge constructed in 1930.Monroe County:• Polk Township: Located in Kresgeville and carries Route 209 over Middle Creek. It is a 50-foot, two-span, concrete bridge that was constructed in 1925. It currently carries a 25-ton single vehicle limit and a combined 38-ton limit.• Hamilton: Located at the junction with Route 33 southbound, which carries routes 209 and 33 southbound over Appenzell Creek. It is a 124-foot, three-span bridge, built in 1963.• Chestnuthill Township: Located 1 mile north of Brodheadsville and carries Route 715 over McMichaels Creek. It is a 70-foot, two-span, steel bridge, built in 1939.• Chestnuthill Township: Located on township Route 939 south of Merwinsburg and carries Route 3009 over Pohopoco Creek. It is a 42-foot, two-span, steel bridge, built in 1941. It currently carries an 11- ton single vehicle limit and a combined 18-ton limit.Chestnuthill Township: Located along Sugar Hollow Road and carries Route 3011 over Sugar Hollow Creek. It is a 30-foot, two-span, steel bridge, built in 1934. It currently carries a 10-ton single vehicle limit and a combined 18-ton limit.• Hamilton: Located along Rim Rock Drive and carries Route 3023 over Pocono Creek. It is a 139-foot, two-span, box beam bridge, built in 1956. It currently carries a 27-ton single vehicle limit and a combined 31-ton limit.• Tunkhannock: Routes 115 and 903 in Blakeslee.Schuylkill County:• Eldred Township: Located in the village of Haas and carries Route 4039 over Mahantango Creek. It is a 28-foot, single span, steel bridge, built in 1915. It currently carries a 15-ton single vehicle limit.