The bridge that spans the Youghiogheny River between Dunbar Township and Dawson Borough has been in place since 1967 and PennDOT has not conducted major repairs on it since it was built.
However, PennDOT spokeswoman Valerie Peterson said that a major renovation project will take place in June on the Dawson Bridge, which carries Route 819.
"The Department of Transportation is developing construction plans to replace the deck slab of the structure on State Route 819, over the Youghiogheny River," she said. "The project will begin about 50 feet west of the intersection of state routes 1041 and 819 and will end 50 feet east of the intersection with state routes 1010 and 819."
Peterson said that in addition to replacing the bridge's deck slab, new approach slabs will be installed at each end of the bridge, beam ends will be repaired, and pier caps will be repaired.
The bridge will be closed during repairs, and all traffic will be diverted around the construction area using a posted detour.
The posted detour will take residents through Connellsville to Broadford using state routes. PennDOT advises motorists to allow extra travel time.
Peterson said that the project is tentatively scheduled to be placed out for bid in April, "and we would expect actual construction to begin in June of 2006 and conclude in September 2006."
Dawson Mayor Barbara Wilhelm welcomes the bridge improvements, but is concerned about residents' safety.
"The bridge is terrible, it has potholes, it's worse now than it was before they started (temporary repairs) two weeks ago," Wilhelm said.
"I don't like the idea of closing down the bridge," she added. "Our bank's over there in Vanderbilt and we'll have to go clear into Connellsville to get there. I worry about emergency personnel, the fire equipment and the ambulances. It's unsafe. I'm worried."
Bobby Keffer, Dawson Volunteer Fire Company chief, said that Everson's and Scottdale's fire departments will assist on Dawson's calls. "We likely won't assist DL&V (Dickerson Run, Liberty and Vanderbilt) and they won't assist us until it (the bridge) gets back up."
Keffer said that the new plans will ensure the safety of residents.
"We're well-covered," he said. "The response time for the other companies will be a couple minutes longer, but Everson and Scottdale are quick."
Rick Adobato, director of operations at Fayette EMS, said that the ambulance service is developing a response plan for Dawson and Lower Tyrone Township.
"We may put a Jeep with equipment in the Dawson fire hall. That's an initial plan," he said. "We will develop more plans as time for the closing approaches."
