PennDOT must OK concrete for Sharon bridge

MERCER, Pa. -- Pouring of the concrete deck for the new Oakland Avenue Viaduct in Sharon won't be authorized until the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation examines engineering reports and gives the go-ahead, Mark Miller, Mercer County bridge engineer, said Friday.
A study report by SPK Engineering of Uniontown, Pa., which submitted additional information to the county Thursday, concluded that a misalignment of the bridge's steel frame will not significantly affect its structural integrity.
SPK is the engineering consultant for Carmen Paliotta Contracting of Library, Pa., which is building the bridge.
Initial indications are that Gannett-Fleming of Pittsburgh, the county's engineering consultant, agrees with SPK, Miller said. Gannett-Fleming's report was being presented Friday to county and PennDOT officials, he added.
Once it gets approval to pour, Paliotta, which has the $3.6 million contract to replace the 65-year-old viaduct, could heat the bridge deck to enable pouring to occur during the winter, Miller said.
PennDOT oversees federally funded bridge projects, such as this 300-foot span, which is 80 percent federally funded and 20 percent state funded.