The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that a bridge on California Road (Route 1019) in Lancaster County near the Berks County line is closed to traffic due to damage discovered during a bridge inspection. The bridge spans an unnamed tributary to the Conestoga River just north of Route 23 (New Holland Pike) in Caernarvon Township.
Scouring under the abutments was discovered during the inspection. In order to ensure the safety of the traveling public, the bridge is closed. A detour is in place.
Travelers heading north from south of the closure should take eastbound Route 23 (New Holland Pike) to northbound Route 10 (Morgantown Road) to Chestnut Hill Road/California Road. Travelers heading south from north of the closure should take southbound Route 10 to westbound Route 23.
The bridge will remain closed until a replacement project planned to start next year can be completed. That project is scheduled to be let in January of 2025. Work is expected to begin next spring and take about a year to complete.
The bridge was built in 1934 and averages 547 vehicles per day.