Muse-Bishop Bridge to Close Thursday For Summer

If you travel Muse-Bishop Road Bridge in Cecil, get ready for a detour.

The state Department of Transportation will close the Muse-Bishop Bridge Thursday through Aug. 26 for a replacement project.

Cecil Township Manager Don Genusso said at the board of supervisors meeting Monday that the posted detour will be state Route 980—about a three-mile trip—and that little other information had been available from PennDOT regarding the project.

He added that township officials understand those familiar with local roadways may forego the formal PennDOT detour in favor of shortcuts on Ciaffoni, Cumer and Cowden Roads.

That's why the public works crew has been patching those road surfaces.

"We've taken a proactive approach," Genusso said.

Still, the board on Monday asked police Chief John Pushak to step up patrols in the area to stave off speeding on the battered roadways.

The board has also asked Genusso to inquire about more signs from PennDOT warning truck drivers that there is no through traffic on the Mawhinney Road Bridge off state Route 50.

Genusso said officials were concerned truck drivers unfamiliar with the area may try to access the weight-restricted bridge as an alternate route.

And considering the state asked the Canon-McMillan School District to prohibit its busses from driving over the span, he said heavy truck traffic could potentially cause a failure there.

Reached Tuesday, PennDOT spokeswoman Valerie Petersen said the Muse-Bishop Bridge replacement project is one of two rehabilitation projects being handled by C. H. & D. Enterprise Inc. of New Stanton.

The cost for both projects, she said, was $727,308.

Construction will begin on both structures Monday.