A bridge along Interstate 80 in Carbon County that was originally part of a tolling plan is slated to be replaced next year.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation released its plans for the I-80 bridge replacement project, which will take 2-3 years to complete at a cost estimated between $60 to $75 million.

In July, the General Assembly amended the state’s P3 law, removing tolling as a means of funding.

A categorical exclusion is being completed for the project to evaluate and document the effects of the build alternative with tolling removed. Since tolling will not be initiated, diversion of traffic onto local roads to avoid the tolls will not occur. Therefore, the proposed improvements along the diversion routes will no longer be included in the project.

The bridges in Carbon and Luzerne counties were constructed in 1965 and cross over the Lehigh River, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and state Route 1005 (River Road).

According to PennDOT, the spans are nearing the end of their life spans.

The project began in February 2021, when it was selected as part of the Major Bridge P3 Initiative.