Officials and guests cut the ribbon Thursday

SHOHOLA - State lawmakers and local officials joined PennDOT District 4 Assistant District Executive for Construction, Richard Cochrane, P.E. on to celebrate the opening of Route 434, the Shohola-Barryville Bridge over the Delaware River. This a $9.5 million project replaces the old bridge connecting Route 434 in Pike County, Pa., with Routes 55 and 97 in Sullivan County, N.Y.

The project included the final design and construction of a four-span bridge over the Delaware River between the village of Shohola, PA and Barryville, NY. Work also included final design and construction of the roadway approaching both sides of the bridge and maintenance of the existing bridge during construction. The old Shohola-Barryville Bridge was open to traffic during the construction until the new bridge was opened a single lane to traffic on October 24, 2006. The old bridge was razed in late winter 2006 to make room for the completion of the new bridge.

Built slightly upstream and designed to fit in with the scenic surroundings along the Delaware River, the new Shohola-Barryville bridge features aesthetic touches that reflect the history of the area as well as its scenic landscape. These architectural treatments are apparent in the stained, molded concrete piers, abutments and barrier that reflect the native blue stone piers, in the ornate pedestrian railing, the balconies and signage. The new structure has two 12-foot lanes and two 8-foot shoulders.

The structure was bid in December 2003 and was awarded to Fahs-Rolston Paving Corp, Binghamton, N.Y. Originally estimated for completion in late 2006, the project experienced delays due to three record floods on the Delaware River causeway.