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 one-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.”
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 ft. into a predetermined area below for removal. Throughout the operation, the new Hawk Falls Bridge structure was monitored for safety. Crews will continue working on the remaining parts of the old bridge and its piers through late October and early November.
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-ft. steel deck arch bridge stands nearly 200 ft 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.
Construction began in 2022 and included replacement of the nearby Hickory Run Road Bridge in Penn Forest and Kidder townships. The project was recently recognized with an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award for engineering excellence.
This bridge replacement is one of more than 40 active projects occurring across the Pennsylvania Turnpike system this construction season, all aimed at improving infrastructure and the overall experience for travelers. During the 2025 season, the Pennsylvania Turnpike reinvestedâ¯more thanâ¯$737â¯million from toll dollars into maintenance and modernizationâ¯projectsâ¯that improve mobility,â¯safetyâ¯and access on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
This roadwork is critical to delivering on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike)'s mission ofâ¯operatingâ¯a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce.
