The Shinsky Bridge over the North Branch of Sewickley Creek in Unity is set to be replaced beginning next spring.
Unity officials sought a $1 million state grant to help pay to replace the bridge, said Mike O’Barto, chairman of the township supervisors. The local service grant through the gaming industry of Pennsylvania was awarded in July, he said.
“The only thing that has ever been replaced was actually the top surface,” O’Barto said of the Shinsky Bridge. “But, those bridges are inspected every two years.”
Located on Shinsky Road near Pleasant Unity, the bridge is 34 feet long and was constructed in 1989 using steel I-beams, according to PennDOT’s database. The bridge received an overall poor rating, largely due to the condition of its substructure.
“The bridge itself was deficient,” O’Barto said. “That bridge is quite old.”
CH&D Enterprises Inc. was the successful bidder for the project at $828,575.75.
O’Barto said that because the bid came in under $1 million, the township will have extra money to pay for engineering and inspection fees.
“It actually worked out quite well,” he said.
