The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) launched its first Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) program to replace aging bridges more quickly while minimizing impacts to motorists along the 360‑mile turnpike. As part of this effort, PTC selected STV to provide construction management and inspection services for five bridge replacements along the Northeast Extension between the Lehigh Valley and Mahoning Valley interchanges. The program marked a major shift in how PTC approaches bridge rehabilitation, using innovative scheduling, staging and construction techniques to drastically reduce closures and maintain reliability for travelers.
What challenges did STV address?
ABC delivery requires precise planning, streamlined logistics and rapid field execution. STV’s team had to coordinate multiple weekend shutdowns and ensure safe demolition and installation within extremely limited time windows. The program’s first bridge replacements using ABC technology – the twin 150‑foot, two‑span bridges over Brush Creek in Beaver County – demanded particularly tight sequencing, as the new superstructures were constructed adjacent to the turnpike and “slid” into place during a 55‑hour closure.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV provided construction inspection, constructability reviews, value engineering, cost estimating and project scheduling to support all five replacements. The team managed contractor activities monitored safety and facilitated public outreach to prepare travelers for weekend shutdowns. Only three weeks after the Brush Creek replacements, STV supported the ABC delivery of a three‑span, 131‑foot structure in Lehigh County, demonstrating the program’s repeatability and efficiency.
How does this project benefit the community?
The ABC program reduces travel delays, improves safety for both workers and motorists and accelerates PTC’s long‑term bridge modernization goals. With bridges replaced in days rather than months, drivers experience fewer disruptions while gaining the benefits of safer, more resilient infrastructure.
Key stats and accolades
- 55‑hour window for twin Brush Creek bridge slides
- Five bridges rehabilitated along the Northeast Extension
- 360 miles of turnpike covered by the ABC program
