Submitted photo
PennDOT continues work on the Mifflin County Veterans Memorial Bridge.

From staff reports

LEWISTOWN — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has provided an update on ongoing rehabilitation work on the Mifflin County Veterans Memorial Bridge, which carries Route 103 over the Juniata River in Lewistown Borough and Granville Township.

The project is designed to improve ride quality across the bridge, extend its service life and raise its overall condition rating from fair to good.

Since early March, traffic signals in the area have been set to flash while flaggers provide traffic control at nearby intersections around the clock. The traffic pattern allows crews to replace the bridge’s bearings — a process that largely takes place beneath the structure and is not visible to motorists traveling across the span.

PennDOT officials expect the current phase of work to continue for about another week.

Once the first set of bearings is replaced, flagging operations will pause for approximately one to two weeks while the contractor resets the bridge’s jacking system. Flaggers are expected to return in late March or early April so crews can begin replacing the second set of bearings, a phase that PennDOT estimates will take about two weeks.

All construction schedules remain subject to change because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Officials say that once the project is complete, no additional major work on the bridge is expected for the next 15 to 20 years.

While construction is underway, pedestrians are urged to avoid the overhead work area near the Victory Park mural. Motorists are also reminded to use caution in work zones, obey posted speed limits and wear seat belts.

The project began in 2025. During construction, PennDOT encountered conditions that required more extensive repairs than originally anticipated.

In total, four bridges are included in the contract. Work has already begun on a Route 4001 bridge in Clinton County, and two bridges in Juniata County are scheduled for repairs later this construction season.

Rylind Construction Company Inc., of Muncy, is the contractor for the $5 million project.