A record $500 million has been awarded to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to build a replacement for the Interstate 83 John Harris Memorial (South) Bridge, which connects downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County to the west shore in Cumberland County.
The current bridge carries more than 125,000 vehicles over the Susquehanna River every day, 15% of which is truck traffic.
The project to build a new bridge recieved the largest federal transportation grant in the state’s history through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro joined US transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, US senator Bob Casey, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, Harrisburg mayor Wanda Williams, elected officials, and labor and local leaders to celebrate the Shapiro Administration’s success in securing the funding.
“I”m proud to announce that thanks to our partnership with the Biden Administration, Pennsylvania has been awarded $500 million for the replacement of the I-83 bridge over the Susquehanna River. This is the largest federal grant for a single transportation project in Pennsylvania history – and it’s a huge investment in this community and our commonwealth,” says Shapiro. “I-83 is a vital artery in central Pennsylvania that connects our communities on each side of the river, helping 125,000 Pennsylvanians get to their jobs, medical appointments, and grocery stores every day.
“For a year and a half, I have bothered the President and Secretary Buttigieg about this bridge – and because they listened to the good people of Pennsylvania, we will get this job done under the leadership of Secretary Carroll to connect our communities and grow our economy for decades to come.”
