Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project

    I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge

    Project Status

    Step 3 of 4

    Construction

    Next Step:  Completed

    Project Overview

    County: Berks
    State Route: SR 0078-LBR (Interstate 78)
    Local Name: I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project
    Project Type: Bridge Replacement and Auxiliary Lane Addition
    Design and Construction Cost: $131.7 million
    Start of Construction: July 2024
    Anticipated Bridge Completion: Summer 2028
    Designer: Michael Baker International
    Last Updated: October 2026

    View Project History & Funding

     

    The I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge was built in 1955 and was last rehabilitated in 1985. This bridge is in a rural setting and crosses Maiden Creek in Greenwich Township, Berks County. It also serves as an overpass to PA-143. The bridge carries about 50,000 vehicles daily, approximately 30 percent of which is truck traffic.

    The purpose of the I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project is to replace the existing bridge over Maiden Creek and PA-143 and widen it to accommodate the addition of auxiliary lanes and full inside and outside shoulders on I-78 in each direction. These modifications will provide a consistent typical section along the I-78 corridor.

    The project is intended to address the substandard I-78 westbound deceleration and I-78 eastbound acceleration lane lengths to and from the PA-143 interchange.

    Project Updates

    Construction at Lenhartsville continues to make steady progress as we move into the fall season. Stage 3 substructure work is now complete, marking an important milestone for the project.

    The next major activity will be Stage 3 beam erection, currently scheduled to begin in mid-October. Crews anticipate setting beams for Span 1 in mid-October followed by Span 5 right after. Beam erection for Spans 2, 3, and 4 is anticipated for late November.

    In preparation for this work, crews are completing remaining substructure activities, including beam seat grinding and survey work, bearing pad installation, walkway platform construction, and scour rock protection at the piers and abutments.

    Fall construction will also include continued work at the project’s stormwater basins. At Basin 1 (BMP-1), crews are performing amended soil placement during the night shift, followed by stabilization and right-of-way fence installation. At Basin 2 (BMP-2), amended soil placement and underdrain installation are scheduled for mid-October.

    With beam erection representing one of the project’s major milestones this fall, the work will provide a visible sign of progress as construction moves toward the next phase of Stage 3 bridge construction later this year and next year.

    I-78 Lenhartsville Stage 2 Beam Installation Stage 2 Beam Installation
    I-78 Lenhartsville Pier 1 Westbound Form and Install Rebar for Pier Cap Pier 1 Westbound Form and Install Rebar for Pier Cap

    As of July 2026, construction continues to make steady progress on the I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project.

    Bridge crews are continuing work on the new bridge's support system, with construction focused on the remaining substructure elements, including pier columns and caps. This work is laying the foundation for the bridge's future superstructure construction.

    Roadway construction is also progressing.  Long Life Concrete Pavement (LLCP) has been completed for the westbound shoulder and travel lane west of the bridge for the current traffic stage, and crews are now constructing the westbound shoulder and travel lane east of the bridge.

    Over the coming weeks, work will continue on the bridge substructure, concrete roadway construction, and basin conversion activities associated with the project's stormwater management improvements.

    Crews working on pouring Pier 2 Westbound columns at Lenhartsville Bridge Crews working on pouring Pier 2 Westbound columns
    Long Life Concrete Pavement (LLCP) Pour Westbound Left Lane at Lenhartsville Bridge Long Life Concrete Pavement (LLCP) Pour Westbound Left Lane

    As of March 16, 2026, bridge demolition has been fully completed by construction contractor, The H&K Group. Crews have now moved into the next phase of construction, which focuses on building the bridge’s foundations and support structures.

    Footing construction is currently underway. At Pier 2, work has progressed to building the pier cap, which will support the bridge beams. At Abutment 2, the retaining walls (known as Mechanically Stabilized Earth, or MSE, walls) have been completed, and crews are now working on the pier cap in that area.

    Over the next several weeks, crews will continue completing the remaining substructure work needed to support the bridge. If the schedule stays on track, beams for the bridge are expected to be installed in the near future, with concrete work for the bridge deck planned for this summer.

    Demolition of existing Pier 1 Demolition of existing Pier 1
    Abutment 2 MSE Panel Installation Abutment 2 MSE Panel Installation

    Work continues as H&K Group crews completed the Stage 3 traffic shift:

    • Long Life Concrete Paving (LLCP) construction at all ramps.
    • Westbound (WB) lanes moved first and were completed on November 6, 2025.
    • Eastbound (EB) lanes finished after and were completed on November 23, 2025.
    Lenhartsville Bridge Ramp A/B Ramp A/B
    Lenhartsville Bridge Ramp B Long Life Concrete Paving Ramp B Long Life Concrete Paving

    Construction on the I-78 Lenhartsville bridges and roadways continues under H&K Group in Stage 2. Crews are focused on building new bridge foundations and adjusting roadways. The next traffic switch is expected in the fall of 2025, ensuring minimal disruption as work progresses.

    Map of Lenhartsville Bridge Project

    View from Abutment 2 WB showing Stage 2 foundation work

    Excavation is complete, and rebar is in place for the new pier footing. The existing WB bridge is on the left with live traffic. Construction activity continues south toward Abutment.

    Lenhartsville looking west

    Pier 3 EB Stage 2 footer rebar installation

    Workers are placing and tying rebar cages for the pier footer within the cofferdam. Vertical column steel is set, and the structure is prepped for the next concrete pour. Existing WB bridge is visible overhead.

    Lenhartsville pier 3

    Stay Informed

    To stay informed, share feedback, or be added to the project mailing list, please email PublicInformationOffice@pennbridges.com.