Traffic begins moving over new Shohola-Barryville bridge

SHOHOLA - Traffic over the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New York was directed to the new six-span Shohola-Barryville Bridge late Tuesday. The joint bridge replacement project between the village of Shohola, and Barryville, N.Y., connects Route 434 in Pike County with state routes 55 and 97 in Sullivan County, New York. Begun in Feb. 2004 after a lengthy delay for an archaeological dig, the structure was built for an estimated $9.4 million. The new bridge is slightly upstream from the old three-span truss structure, which was completed in 1940. Its poured stone abutments are designed to fit in with the scenic surroundings along the Delaware River. Signals were removed and directional signage changed Tuesday. Temporary fencing and pedestrian walkways are still in place. PennDOT asked that motorists drive slowly during the construction area and to use caution during the final phase of construction, which includes some finishing and abutment work on both the Pennsylvania and New York sides of the bridge. Fahs-Rolston Paving Corporation, Binghamton, N.Y., contractor for the project, is expected to begin demolishing the old structure once this work is complete.