The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants to replace two bridges that carry Interstate 80 over an active freight line between Luzerne and Carbon counties.

The Carbon County Commissioners received correspondence from PennDOT regarding its application to replace the bridges, which run over the tracks owned by Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad in White Haven. It also crosses the Lehigh Gorge Trail and Lehigh River.

PennDOT officials plan to meet with the railroad, as well as other officials and the Public Utility Commission on March 6.

This portion of Interstate 80 sees approximately 32,602 vehicles a day. Of that total, 30% is truck traffic, the state says.

The project is expected to cost $61,450,373.

“This project is necessary and proper for the safety and convenience of the public,” PennDOT wrote.

The project began in February 2021 as part of the Major Bridge P3 Initiative, but changes to the law removed tolling from the project proposal, which altered the plans.

Last September, PennDOT released its plans for the I-80 bridge replacement project and anticipates it will take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

The bridges had been constructed in 1965 and are nearing the end of their life spans, PennDOT states.