WICU12

PennDOT is using a special sealant to improve safety on one of the busiest sets of bridges in the area. The twin spans that carry Interstate 79 over railroad tracks between West 12th and West 26th Street are the largest bridges where local PennDOT engineers have used a special epoxy overlay. The two coats of glue with tiny stones coatings are designed to reduce icing and improve traction for the 30,000 cars and trucks that use the bridges each day. PennDOT District Bridge Engineer Bill Koller said, "The epoxy is impermeable so no salt and water will ever see the deck. We expect this to last 10-15 years. And it is also renewable. You can go int and shot blast it and put another coat on and we are excited about this form of protection for a bridge deck." Crews are also installing new sensors for the system that sprays de-icing liquid on the bridge during the winter months.

Paul Wagner