Span to Crown Center reopens
Washington Crown Center has become more accessible.
A bridge linking Franklin Farms Road with South Ring Road reopened about 3 p.m. Monday, enabling motorists an easier route into the shopping mall. Repairs, by Pugliano Construction Co. of Pittsburgh, took a little less than seven weeks. The project cost about $600,000.
The span across Chartiers Creek had been in disrepair, but did not close until construction began. “PennDOT never gave it good reviews. The underside was peeling. Sooner or later, this had to be done,” said Silvio Passalacqua, a supervisor and the roadmaster in North Franklin Township.
He expressed relief over the reopening. “I’ve certainly never heard so many complaints,” he said. “From where I live, I had to drive to West Chestnut Street and come around. Now you can shoot right in there to the mall.”
Construction was completed in a little less than the two months projected. During part of the project, West Chestnut – also Route 40 – provided the only way into the mall, medical complex, the Wild Things’ stadium and other nearby operations.
Civil Knox, general manager of the mall, was ecstatic when she saw traffic crossing the bridge Monday.
“This is a major boost for our mall,” she said. “With the holidays coming, we needed that entrance back there. A lot of our traffic comes from that road, so we’re extremely happy. It’s a beautiful bridge.”
North Franklin got $250,000 for the project from the Washington County Local Share Account, from gambling revenue at Meadows Racetrack & Casino. The township also received a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority that came from Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact fees.
Supervisors Chairman Martha Ward said rebidding of the project saved the township $50,000.
This span was built using concrete box beams.