Crawford Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Wins America’s Transportation Award

CONNELLSVILLE, PA—The Crawford Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation project has earned an America’s Transportation Award in the “Quality of Life/Community Development” category from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Recognized for improving safety and connectivity for the community and restoring the bridge’s structural integrity, the project brings several modern safety features, including a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, to the vital crossing.

Originally built in 1959, the bridge separates the east and west sides of Connellsville and provides a vital link for residents, businesses and recreational users. The aging structure required extensive structural and safety upgrades, and PennDOT District 12-0 enlisted Benesch to perform an in-depth inspection and lead the project through preliminary and final design.

A key element of the project was replacing the original steel beam pin-and-hanger system with a continuous steel beam superstructure. This upgrade improves overall performance while reducing long-term maintenance costs by decreasing the number of deck joints from seven to one. To further reinforce the bridge, the team installed a “deadman” system at the west abutment—a buried concrete anchor connected to the structure—eliminating the need for a costly replacement of an entire pier or abutment.

The project also modernized the USGS Connellsville gage station, replacing the 50-year-old concrete tower with a modern, barrier-mounted stream gage system that integrates seamlessly into the rehabilitated bridge. Additional improvements included ADA-compliant ramps, a new sidewalk and shared-use path for greater pedestrian and cyclist protection. New 44-inch-tall open balustrade concrete barriers and modern decorative lighting were also added to improve visibility and aesthetics.

The $13 million project was completed in just ten months and reopened to traffic in November 2024. By enhancing multimodal access, improving safety and extending the service life of a critical transportation link, the project delivers lasting benefits to the community.