I-83 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, reopened on Sunday (November 16) after the successful demolition of the 19th Street Bridge. The bridge, over 60 years old, was demolished overnight as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) Capital Beltway Project. Crews worked through the night to clear debris, allowing the interstate to reopen by 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
The demolition of the bridge is a key part of the ongoing I-83 Capital Beltway Project, which aims to improve infrastructure in the area. According to PennDOT, the project includes widening and reconstructing portions of I-83, constructing new overhead bridges, and making roadway improvements along several corridors. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2040.
The 19th Street Bridge is expected to remain closed through next year, with a reopening planned for late November or early December 2026. The ramps associated with the bridge will reopen in the spring of 2027. PennLive reports that the demolition caused a temporary closure of I-83 for about nine hours, during which traffic was detoured.
The Capital Beltway Project is part of a larger effort to enhance transportation infrastructure in the region. Local21 News notes that the project will significantly impact traffic patterns, with ongoing lane restrictions and road closures expected throughout its duration.