Shohola to get a new bridge

New design not in keeping with historic area

By TOM KANE

SHOHOLA, PA - After being closed for more than two years, Twin Lakes Road will be closed again for the replacement of the bridge over Shohola Creek near the Shohola Township Hall.

A detour of 3.5 miles will be maintained during construction of the new $1.7 million bridge, which will begin in 2010.

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) appeared at the Shohola Township meeting on November 12.

“The present bridge was built in 1936 and no longer conforms to PennDOT standards for a two lane bridge,” said engineer Keith Stuebe of Dewberry Engineering, who is the consultant hired by PennDOT.

The new bridge, which will be completed in one year, will be raised a few inches higher to improve the flow of water and will be wider, Steube said. A walking lane will be included in the design. The cost of the construction will be divided between the federal government and the state.

“The federal government will pay 80 percent and the state will provide the remaining 20 percent,” said Charles Reuther, director of PennDOT’s Engineering District 4-0 in Dunmore.

Not everyone was satisfied with the presentation.

“I am disappointed because this looks like the design is not preliminary, which I was assured it would be in 2006,” said George Fluhr, township historian and past chairman of the township board.

Fluhr explained the historical significance of the area around the bridge.

“This bridge should be more in keeping with the area that once contained a very popular recreational area called Shohola Glen, in which some 10,000 people on a weekend would come from New York City on the railroad,” Fluhr said.

He outlined the township plans to develop Rohman Park at the site, which will contain a ball field and other recreational amenities.

“We are here to welcome input into this project,” Reuther said. “We welcome comments from residents and others and will leave with you feedback sheets which can be distributed and mailed to us.”

Anyone wishing to comment can contact Reuther at PennDOT, 55 Keystone Industrial Park, Dunmore, PA 18512 or email at creuther@state.pa.us or call him at 570/963-4434.