HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday extended an emergency declaration for the construction of a new Fern Hollow Bridge through Sept. 30.
This emergency declaration extension allows PennDOT to continue to access up to $25.3 million in emergency relief funding from the federal government for design and construction of the new bridge. It also allowed the department to sign onto an emergency contract with engineering and construction firms Swank Construction Co., of New Kensington, and HDR Inc., based in Nebraska.
State lawmakers were required to extend Gov. Tom Wolf’s Jan. 28 emergency declaration for a second time on Wednesday as part of a set of amendments to the state constitution that were approved by voters in the May 2021 primary election. Mr. Wolf can make initial emergency declarations when emergencies like the Jan. 28 bridge collapse arise, but the Legislature must vote to extend them after 21 days.
Prior to its approval Wednesday, the emergency declaration extension was set to expire on Thursday. Rep. Tim Hennessy, R-Pottstown, said on the floor Wednesday that the extension was necessary to ensure the “expeditious” repair of the bridge.
Two dozen House Republicans opposed extending the emergency declaration to rebuild the collapsed bridge, including one Allegheny County official: Rep. Michael Puskaric, R-Elizabeth. Four other southwestern Pennsylvania lawmakers opposed the extension, including Reps. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown; Bud Cook, R-Belle Vernon; Timothy O’Neal, R-South Strabane and Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis. The resolution passed unanimously through the state Senate.
In a statement, Mr. Wolf said the state has made “significant progress,” but still has a lot to do before the bridge is complete.
“Extending the disaster declaration ensures the ability to act quickly and without barriers for the people and businesses of Pittsburgh who rely on this critical infrastructure,” Mr. Wolf added.
Construction on the replacement bridge is expected to begin in late April.
First Published: March 30, 2022, 8:44 p.m.
