A Hatchery Road bridge replacement project is progressing on schedule, state officials said, with the bridge expected to open to traffic on Friday.

Marissa Orbanek, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, said that although additional work will continue through the spring, “these tasks will not impact traffic traveling on Hatchery Road.”

“Most of the project progressed as planned,” Orbanek said. “There have been no significant challenges, and we are eager to open the bridge back up on Nov. 1.”

The bridge, originally built in 1956, is being replaced due to deterioration, including a portion of the southwest wing wall shifting by about 9 inches.

The updated design, turnpike officials said, will increase clearance over the turnpike to 16 feet and 2.5 inches and will feature wider shoulder widths. The new concrete box beam bridge will be 186 feet long, about 80 feet longer than the original, improving both durability and traffic flow on the stretch of Interstate 476 it spans.

The project drew initial concerns from some Penn Forest Township residents concerned about the detour.

Work began in March and the detour sent motorists on a 25-mile trek around Beltzville Lake to Route 209 and back up the other side to Route 903.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley visited the project site earlier this month.

“I’m very happy to see it is going to be done on time,” Heffley said. “It would have been great to only have one lane closed at a time, but because of the side walls that were buckling out, they couldn’t do that. PennDOT resurfaced Hatchery Road in the interim and it’s just really going to be a nicer drive for the folks that utilize that road.”

The road closure affected businesses and eight homes with residents, many of whom are elderly and discussed concerns about access to emergency medical care.

“The proposed detour was the shortest detour possible in this location, hence the urgency to complete the project within an eight-month time span,” Orbanek said. “The goal was to get this bridge back open prior to winter weather.”

Heffley commended everyone for working together to lessen the inconveniences caused by the closure.

“Emergency management came up with a plan that they would provide services if needed by using other fire departments and ambulance services,” he said.

“The mail was rerouted. The contractor allowed residents to use the dumpsters on the site so they didn’t have to take their garbage around. It was a collaborative effort and everyone did their best.”