POND EDDY, PA — The Pond Eddy Bridge was re-opened to traffic on October 30, but with a three-ton weight limit. A contractor finished inspections the previous day and the result showed that it would be safe for low-weight vehicles to cross the more than 100-year-old span.

Vehicles lighter than three tons will be able to cross the bridge, one at a time, with a five mph speed limit. There are curb boards and reflective delineators on the bridge to ensure vehicles follow the shifting lane patterns in order to keep them away from areas of the bridge deck that are compromised following the crash from the previous week.

In that incident, a tri-axle dump truck lost its brakes coming down State Route 41 with a full load, and the driver was forced to steer the vehicle, weighing more than 72,000 pounds, onto the bridge, which had a weight limit of seven tons.

Beginning on approximately November 9, a contractor will begin performing the repairs on the bridge that PennDot hopes will allow the weight limit to be raised to seven tons again. This work will take place from approximately November 9 to November 25.

During this time period, the contractor will be physically working on the bridge between 8 a.m. and 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Cars will be able to cross only before or after the scheduled work hours or during the noon break.

Work to entirely replace the bridge is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2016. From 2016 until the fall of 2017, a new bridge will be built alongside the old bridge, during which time access across the river will be on the old bridge. In the spring of 2018, the old bridge is scheduled to be removed.