Why a new bridge on a rural road near Interstate 83 in York County matters: officials

A new two-lane bridge on Log Road over the East Branch of the Codorus Creek in York and Springfield townships opened to traffic earlier this week.

It replaced a 1954, one-lane span that had a weight limit of 13 tons because of deterioration. The restriction prevented school buses and most emergency vehicles from crossing the bridge, said Steve Malesker, team leader in transportation for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

Officials had considered closing the bridge on Log Road, which connects to Lake and Iron Stone Hill roads not far from Interstate 83. However, residents spoke up, saying they wanted it to remain open because "everybody uses it," said Patrick Rieder, chairman of the board of supervisors for Springfield Township.

"It's shocking how busy this road is," he said.

York County, which owns the bridge, decided to replace it. The $5 fee that vehicle owners pay when renewing their registration helped to pay for it, officials said.

In 2022, HRG started designing the new bridge, and last year, the span, along with the Fulton School/Fenmore Road bridge in southern York County, were put out for bid, said Steve Malesker, team leader in transportation for the company.

JVI Group Inc. replaced the Log Road bridge. It cost $969,000.

Work to the Fulton School/Fenmore Road bridge cost $890,000, Malesker said. It already has reopened to traffic.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held to reopen the bridge

Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week to mark the completion of the Log Road bridge.

"This is more than just a structure of steel and concrete," Vice President Commissioner J. Scott Burford said. "This is a symbol of York County commissioners' efforts towards public safety and infrastructure — the investments that we make each and every day to ensure our citizens are safe and secure."

About 1,500 vehicles travel Log Road daily, said Tammy Ream, Springfield Township manager.

"This was definitely a very nice improvement to this area," she said.

The municipality also made improvements to Log Road.

The new bridge is able to handle all legal loads, Malesker said.

A Goodwill Fire Company fire truck crossed over the bridge after officials cut the ribbon. It was then opened to all traffic.

York County works on bridges each year

York County tries to work on two or three bridges each year, Malesker said. The local bridge fee has been helpful in programming bridge replacements.

A bridge on Eden Drive in Newberry Township reopened to traffic a couple of months ago, and a span on Schoolhouse Road in Dover Township will be back in operation soon, he said.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York County officials mark opening of new Log Road bridge near I-83