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PennDOT, Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners to open 390th bridge

PennDOT, Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners to open 390th bridge

Harrisburg, Pa. – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its development partner, Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners (PWKP), expect to finish the 2017 construction season with the opening of its 390th bridge this week. When this multi-year project is completed, PennDOT will have replaced 558 structurally deficient bridges with its Rapid Bridge Replacement Project.

“Both PWKP and PennDOT have worked very hard on this innovative, complicated project that will speed the delivery of improved bridges across the state, especially in rural areas,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “Both Governor Wolf and I are committed to improving transportation to all areas of Pennsylvania and this program is fulfilling that pledge.”

“We have a lot to be proud of on this historic project,” said Ed Dice, Head of Delivery for Plenary Group. “PWKP demonstrated its ongoing commitment to excellence this past year. Our achievements on this project are a culmination of hard work, coordination, and a commitment to safety.”

2017 Rapid Bridge Replacement Project successes include:

  • PWKP has completed 212 bridges so far this year, with another six scheduled to complete before the end of year, for a total of 218 completed bridges in 2017.
  • 96 percent of all bridge replacements on time or ahead of schedule.
  • 284 bridges are now under maintenance responsibility of Walsh Infrastructure Maintenance for the next 25 years.
  • PWKP construction teams have worked a total of 1,464,901 man-hours.
  • Over 500 subcontractors have performed work on the project.

Bridge replacements to date across 61 counties in Pennsylvania include:

  • 241 single span bridges
  • 12 multiple-span bridges
  • 129 box culverts
  • 8 pipe culverts and arch bridges

The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is an $899 million public-private partnership (P3) awarded by PennDOT to PWKP. PWKP includes Plenary Group USA Ltd. and Walsh Investors, LLC, which are providing financing and long-term management; a joint-venture construction team of Walsh Construction Company and Granite Construction Company; HDR, Inc., which is the lead design firm; and Walsh Infrastructure Management, which will provide maintenance for a 25-year period upon completion of the bridges.

To see the bridges included in the statewide initiative and to learn more about the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project and P3 in Pennsylvania, visit www.p3forpa.pa.gov. Additional information on the project, the team, and how to bid on the project can be found at www.parapidbridges.com.