Luzerne County closes Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge permanently

The Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge over the Susquehanna River is now closed. Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo announced the closure on March 20, citing safety concerns due to advanced deterioration found during a recent inspection. This closure is permanent as the county will look for options to replace the bridge. Currently, officials are selecting an engineer who will propose three plans for the new bridge. The project will be funded in part by $10 million from federal funds allocated through the state, along with access to a $55 million casino gambling fund dedicated to infrastructure. Last May, the bridge's weight limit was lowered to 5 tons to restrict heavier vehicles like fire trucks. The bridge has been monitored with inspections every six months due to its poor condition. It spans 2,072 feet and has connected Nanticoke and West Nanticoke since it was built in 1914, with its last major work done in 1987. Previously, three options for the bridge had been proposed by Alfred Benesch and Associates. However, the county must start over because of federal funding requirements. The engineer selection must now go through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's process. Crocamo noted that the county is working closely with PennDOT to manage the closure and promised to share more information later. She thanked the public for their cooperation during this process.