CARBON COUNTY, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reached a major milestone after a carefully controlled demolition brought down the largest center span of the old Hawk Falls Bridge, marking a significant step toward completing the $88 million bridge replacement project.
“Safely bringing down a nearly 1-million-pound section of bridge in this challenging terrain is an impressive accomplishment and requires extensive planning and coordination,” said Brad Heigel, Chief Engineer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “Kudos to our team and project partners on their work, one which brings us one step closer to completing a project that will serve the region for decades to come.”
The demolition was the culmination of a highly controlled and methodical process that began after traffic moved onto the new Hawk Falls Bridge in May. Contractors first removed the old bridge deck bay by bay from south to north, followed by its steel stringers. Crews then prepared specific sections of the truss for the controlled demolition, secured the surrounding project area, and monitored the new bridge throughout the operation. PA Turnpike traffic was temporarily stopped as an added safety precaution and resumed within minutes after the area was cleared for travel.
Due to the size of the old structure, limited access within the steep Mud Run Gorge, and the complexity of dismantling the truss piece by piece while maintaining its stability, controlled demolition of the former Hawk Falls Bridge structure was selected as the safest and most efficient method. Crews strategically separated the steel truss at five locations, allowing it to fall approximately 150 to 220 feet into a predetermined area below for removal. Throughout the operation, the new Hawk Falls Bridge structure was monitored for safety.
The demolition is part of the Hawk Falls Bridge Project, which replaces a 1950s-era structure at milepost 88.59 on the Northeast Extension with a modern bridge designed to enhance safety, mobility, and long-term reliability. The new 720-foot steel deck arch bridge stands nearly 200 feet above Mud Run Gorge and carries two lanes of traffic in each direction with wider shoulders and median space — a critical improvement along a stretch of the PA Turnpike that averages more than 24,000 vehicles daily. Weathering steel and the elimination of expansion joints will also reduce long-term maintenance needs and extend the life of the structure.
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Construction began in 2022 and included replacement of the nearby Hickory Run Road Bridge in Penn Forest and Kidder townships. The new Hawk Falls Bridge was constructed using 3,304 tons of structural steel, 4,800 cubic yards of concrete, and more than 1.1 million pounds of rebar.
