STV Opens $88M Hawk Falls Bridge on Pennsylvania Turnpike in Major Infrastructure Milestone

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—STV has officially opened the $88 million Hawk Falls Bridge on the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension (I-476), marking a major milestone in the region’s ongoing effort to modernize aging transportation infrastructure in Carbon County.

STV joined the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) to celebrate the opening of the new structure, which now carries both northbound and southbound traffic. The project replaces two aging bridges originally constructed in the 1950s and represents a key component of the turnpike’s long-term capital improvement strategy.

The firm provided construction management and inspection services throughout the project, which involved complex coordination in one of the most environmentally sensitive and geographically constrained sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike system.

“Replacing a bridge of this scale in such a sensitive setting requires precision, coordination and trust across every partner involved,” said Jim Takacs, project manager at STV. “Reaching this milestone means the team is moving through the most complex phase of construction while improving safety and protecting the surrounding natural landscape.”

Complex Construction in a Sensitive Environmental Corridor

The Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement Project required careful planning due to its location spanning Mud Run Gorge and proximity to Hickory Run State Park. In May 2026, traffic was shifted onto the new Hawk Falls Bridge and a nearby replacement structure over Hickory Run Road, allowing crews to begin demolition of the original bridge and complete final roadway tie-ins.

STV oversaw demolition and construction activities for the original structure while coordinating closely with contractors, emergency management teams, park officials and Turnpike maintenance crews. The goal was to maintain traffic flow, ensure public safety and minimize disruption to park visitors and surrounding ecosystems.

The new 720-foot-long, three-rib steel deck arch bridge rises nearly 200 feet above Mud Run Gorge. It features wider shoulders and a wider median designed to enhance driver safety. Engineers also incorporated weathering steel and eliminated expansion joints to reduce long-term maintenance requirements and improve durability.

The bridge’s location, which offers visibility from the Hawk Falls hiking trail, required additional safety and environmental protections throughout construction.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Transportation Network

All remaining work on the Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement Project is expected to be completed this fall, according to STV. The project is part of broader infrastructure investments aimed at improving mobility, safety and long-term performance across Pennsylvania’s highway system.

STV has been active in major transportation programs across the state, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s Accelerated Bridge Construction program, roadway reconstruction efforts along Milepost 320–326 and the New Hope–Lambertville Toll Bridge Administration Building expansion.

Other notable STV projects in Pennsylvania include the Parker Street Bridge Replacement, the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project, SEPTA Frazer Rail Shop and Yard Expansion and improvements to the I-95 Betsy Ross Interchange.

Founded in 1912 and headquartered in New York City, STV is one of North America’s leading infrastructure-focused professional services firms. The company employs more than 3,300 professionals across over 65 offices and provides planning, design, engineering and construction management services for transportation, water and building infrastructure projects.

Originally reported by STV.