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    Reminder: Demolition Scheduled for 19th Street Bridge in Harrisburg

    November 07, 2025

    Traffic to be detoured during demolition and cleanup operations; Delays are expected

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds travelers the 19th Street bridge spanning Interstate 83 in Harrisburg is scheduled to be demolished the night of Saturday, November 15. Traffic on I-83 will be detoured starting at 11:00 PM Saturday. Demolition and cleanup operations are expected to be completed and the interstate open to traffic by 8:00 AM Sunday, November 16.

    This work may cause congestion and delays along the detour routes and nearby road network. Travelers should avoid the area.

    The bridge will be prepped for demolition during nighttime hours starting the night of Sunday, November 9, and continuing through the week. There will be lane restrictions, as needed, from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM in both directions of I-83 between the 13th Street and Paxton Street interchanges.

    Weather permitting, the 19th Street bridge will be demolished the night of Saturday, November 15. Lane restrictions will be implemented in both directions of I-83 and on westbound Route 322 approaching the project area starting a 7:00 PM Saturday. A full closure will be implemented on I-83 at approximately 11:00 PM.

    Traffic will be detoured. Northbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 43 to 2nd Street, then continue on Second Street to Paxton Street, turn right onto Paxton Street and continue east to Eisenhower Boulevard, turn left on Eisenhower Boulevard and continue north to northbound I-83.

    Southbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 45 (Paxton Street/Bass Pro Dr) to Paxton Street, then continue west on Paxton Street to 17th Street, turn right on 17th Street then left onto the ramp to southbound I-83.

    This may cause congestion and delays. Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the area.

    19th Street is expected to remain closed through next year, with the estimated opening sometime in late November/early December. The ramps are expected to reopen in the spring of 2027.

    This work is associated with the first of two contracts for East Shore Section 3 of the larger I-83 Capital Beltway Project. This contract includes widening and reconstructing portions of the I-83 roadway, construction of overhead bridges at 29th Street and 19th Street, construction of the new Cameron Street Interchange, removing the 13th Street interchange, and roadway improvements along the Cameron Street, 19th Street and 29th Street corridors.

    There may be significant impacts to traffic during the life of this project, including traffic shifts, lane restrictions and road closures/detours. Advance notice will be issued prior to any major traffic impacts.

    New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, Inc., of New Enterprise, PA, is the contractor on this $154,627,000 project.

    All work on this contract is expected to be completed by October 12, 2027.

    The second East Shore Section 3 contract was recently awarded to J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Chester County, PA, who submitted a low bid of $132,727,725.31. This contract is expected to be under construction from 2025 to 2033 and includes widening and reconstruction on I-83, construction of the 13th Street bridge and approaches, and construction of the 17th Street interchange and widening 17th Street.

    For more information about the East Shore Section 3 and the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, go to this new location at I-83 East Shore Section 3 | Department of Transportation | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    The East Shore Section 3 construction contract map can be found here: ess3-contractdisplaymaprevaugust2025reduced.pdf.

    East Shore Section 2, which includes widening I-83 from just south of the Union Deposit Interchange to 29th Street and includes the reconstruction of the Eisenhower Interchange and portions of US 322, I-283, and Eisenhower Boulevard, will consist of five contracts, the first of which is expected to go to construction in 2028, with the entire project completion estimated around 2040. For more information about East Shore Section 2, go to I-83 East Shore Section 2 | Department of Transportation | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    The East Shore Section 2 construction map can be found here: sr0083-078seq-of-constr-contract-graphic2025-august-for-website.pdf.

    Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.

    511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.

    Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at PennDOT District 8.

    Information about infrastructure in District 8, including completed work and significant projects, is available at District 8 Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at PennDOT Projects.

    Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Thompson 717-418-5018, dmthompson@pa.gov

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    19th Street bridge demo detours on Interstate 83.
    19th Street bridge spanning Interstate 83 in Harrisburg.