Mountain House Road over Armstrong Creek Bridge Preservation Project

County: Dauphin
Municipality: Jackson Township
State Route: Route 1003-027
Local Name: Mountain House Road over Armstrong Creek
Project Type: Bridge Preservation
MPMS Number: 87653
Proposed Construction Start: May 2029
Proposed Construction End: July 2029
Last Updated: October 2026

The Route 1003 structure preservation project is located along Mountain House Road (Route 1003) over Armstrong Creek in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, approximately 8 miles northeast of Halifax. The purpose of this project is to enhance the functionality of Route 1003. This improvement will ensure continued efficient access for the traveling public and support the long-term reliability of the transportation infrastructure.

The project involves performing structural steel repairs at beam ends and masonry repointing of the existing abutments. We will have minimal work on the roadway to replace the pavement to accommodate structure waterproofing. Please refer to the project’s preliminary plan graphic.

This section of Mountain House Road has an average daily traffic volume of 592 vehicles per day (vpd).

The bridge will be closed to all traffic for approximately 3 months during construction. The detour will be approximately 5.1-miles utilizing Route 225 to Rutter Road (Route 4001) to Millers Church Road (Route 1004). Please refer to the project’s Detour graphic.

Overhead utilities are present at the site and de-energization, or relocation may be required to complete the structure preservation.

The project is currently in design, and construction work is anticipated to begin in May 2029 and last approximately 3 months.

The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and solicit public input, questions, or concerns regarding the project.

Project Description

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to an online plan display regarding the Route 1003 (Mountain House Road) structure preservation project over Armstrong Creek located in Jackson Township, Dauphin County. The purpose of this project is to enhance the functionality of Route 1003. This improvement will ensure continued efficient access for the traveling public and support the long-term reliability of the transportation infrastructure.

The project involves performing structural steel repairs at beam ends and masonry repointing of the existing abutments. It will also include replacement of the pavement on either end of the structure to accommodate proposed structure waterproofing. Please refer to the project’s preliminary plan graphic.

Environmental Considerations

The bridge is located in a rural section of Jackson Township, with land use consisting of forest. There are no existing pedestrian or bicycle facilities through this section of Route 1003. A waterway permit will be required to include in-stream work associated with the steel beam repairs and for the installation of rock scour protection. There is a wetland present within the projects Limits of Work. Temporary protective fence will be placed to protect the wetland area.

Utilities

Overhead utilities are present at the site and de-energization, or relocation may be required to complete the structure preservation.

Maintenance and Protection of Traffic

The proposed detour route is 5.1-miles and will utilize Route 225 to Route 4001 (Rutter Road) to Route 1004 (Millers Church Road). Please refer to the project’s Detour graphic.

Construction Schedule and Cost

Construction is anticipated to occur during the 2029 construction season with an estimated duration of approximately three months. The estimated construction cost is $301,590.