Ross Township Jacks Run Road Bridge Closes Over Corroded Steel Risk

The Jacks Run Road Bridge No. 3 in Ross Township, which carries an average of about 4,631 vehicles daily over Interstate 279, has been closed indefinitely due to corroded steel found in its only pier. This corrosion compromised the structural integrity, making it impossible for engineers to determine the bridge’s safe weight capacity, prompting the Department of Public Works to close the bridge out of an abundance of caution. The bridge, built in 1986 and currently rated in poor condition, was scheduled for replacement in 2027, but officials are now considering accelerating the design and construction timeline. If expediting the replacement is not feasible, temporary repairs to shore up the pier will be pursued to reopen the bridge as soon as possible. In the meantime, traffic is being detoured via Brighton Road, Lincoln Avenue, North Balph Avenue, and Bellevue Road. Public Works Director Stephen Shanley emphasized the difficulty of the decision and the importance of the bridge as a vital link for Ross Township drivers.