Stone Arch Road over Unnamed Tributary to Buffalo Creek Superstructure Replacement

County: Perry
Municipality: Juniata Township
State Route: 4007-018
Local Name: Stone Arch Road over Unnamed Tributary to Buffalo Creek
Project Type: Superstructure Replacement
MPMS Number: 100456
Proposed Construction Start: Spring 2027
Proposed Construction End: Fall 2027
Last Updated: August 2025

The Route 4007, Section 018 superstructure replacement project is located along Stone Arch Road (Route 4007) over an Unnamed Tributary to Buffalo Creek in Juniata Township, Perry County, approximately 5 miles northeast of Mercersburg. The purpose of this project is to replace the existing superstructure and provide continued safe and efficient crossing of Route 4007 over the Unnamed Tributary to Buffalo Creek.

The existing rolled, steel I-beam bridge was built in 1948 at a 44-degree skew to the roadway. The span length is approximately 26 feet.

This project involves removing the existing bridge superstructure and replacing it with a new superstructure. The existing single span, steel beam superstructure will be replaced with a new pre-stressed concrete, spread box beam bridge with concrete deck and barriers. In addition to the replacement of the superstructure, minor approach roadway reconstruction, along with guide rail, pavement marking and signing updates will also be completed as part of the project. The proposed roadway curb to curb width will remain similar to the existing conditions with 11-foot lanes and variable width shoulders (1 foot and 4 inches minimum to 3 foot and 2 and ½ inches maximum.). The variable shoulders are the result of the bridge following a straight alignment while Stone Arch road follows a horizontally curved alignment (Radius equal to approximately 407 feet.)

This section of Stone Arch Road has an average daily traffic volume of 259 vehicles per day (vpd) with 11% trucks.

The bridge will be closed to all traffic for approximately 6 months during construction. The detour will be approximately 3.74 miles using Creek Road, Milford Road, Oak Hall Road and Buckwalter Road. Please refer to the project’s Detour Plan graphic.

No underground utilities will be affected by the project. Utility work will include one utility pole relocation, a minimum of one temporary/permanent utility pole installation, and aerial line relocation.

The project is currently in design, and construction work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2027 and last approximately 6 months.

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

Environmental Considerations

A Wetland and Watercourse Identification and Delineation was conducted for the project area which identified a single wetland located in the northeast of the bridge. No disturbance to this wetland is anticipated.

There is limited work anticipated in the UNT to Buffalo Creek. Most of the work will consist of placing rock in front of the abutments to serve as scour protection. The Pennsylvania Water Quality Standards Title 25, Chapter 93, lists the UNT as a High-Quality, Cold-Water fishery (HQ-CWF) and migratory fishes (MF). There are no in-stream construction timing restrictions. The UNT to Buffalo Creek is not a navigable stream or considered a designated Water Trail according to the PFBC.

The project is located within a rural wooded area. No impacts to productive agricultural lands are anticipated as a result of the project. No properties in the project area are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

There are no hazardous waste concerns in the project area.

Utilities

No underground utilities will be affected by the project. Utility work will include one utility pole relocation, a minimum of one temporary/permanent utility pole installation, and aerial line relocation.

Maintenance and Protection of Traffic

The bridge will be closed to all traffic.  The project will be constructed utilizing a complete closure of Stone Arch Road and a detour. The detour is approximately 3.74 miles long and utilizes Creek Road (SR 0849), Milford Road (SR 1009), Oak Hall Road (SR 1024) and Buckwalter Road (SR 1024). Please refer to the project’s Detour Map graphic.

Schedule and Cost

The project is scheduled to be bid for construction in September of 2026 however construction is estimated to take place in the Spring/Summer of 2027 construction season. The estimated construction cost is $1,207,000.