Closure implemented for public safety, department will assess bridge and next steps when flood waters recede
Hollidaysburg, PA – Due to significant rainfall causing flooding in the area and in the interest of public safety, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is implementing a bridge closure and detour effective today, Wednesday, May 14, for U.S. 219 (Mason-Dixon Highway) and bridge over Piney Creek, approximately one mile north of Salisbury, in the village of Boynton, Somerset County.
Once flood waters recede the bridge can receive a complete inspection and next steps will be determined. There is no estimated timeframe for the bridge closure and vehicles are advised to follow the following detours:
- Commercial vehicles (truck) traffic on U.S. 219 will be detoured using: Interstate 68 to U.S. 40 (National Pike) to Route 523 (Listonburg Road/Oden Street) to Route 281 (Park Street/Kingwood Road/New Centerville Road/Tayman Avenue) to Route 31 (Patriot Street/Main Street) to Route 3041 (Plank Road).
- Non-commercial (passenger vehicle) traffic on U.S. 219 will be detoured using: Route 669 (Ord Street) to Route 2003 (St Paul Road) to Route 2035 (Rock Station Road) to Route 2014 (Coal Run Road).
An average of nearly 6,000 vehicles cross this 80-foot, two-span bridge each day.
PennDOT urges drivers to be alert to water on roadways, obey warning signs and traffic control devices, and never drive through flooding or standing water on roads. Shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway, as it takes just two feet of fast-moving water to float a car. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water.
Anyone who drives around barriers intended to close a road can face increased penalties if emergency responders are called to rescue motorists who disregard traffic control signs.
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 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District9.
Follow PennDOT District 9 on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jay Knarr, jaknarr@pa.gov, 814-696-7101 or Monica R. Owens, moowens@pa.gov, 814-696-7105
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