The Glenbrook Road Bridge in Stroud Township was expected to reopen at the end of this month after being closed for over four years. But we’re told the contractor has once again run into some problems. To nearby residents dismay, the design has to be reconfigured again.

There’s lots of activity today at the bridge project on Glenbrook Road in Stroud Township. But recently PennDOT confirms the contractor halted work as they were back to the drawing board.

PennDOT District 5 Press Officer Ron Young says, "Had some issues with the cofferdam system. They had to redesign it so we had a bit of another setback. We’re hoping in the springtime is when things will get done."

The bridge has been closed since sustaining damage during a tropical storm in August of 2020.  And this is the second time the crew has been forced to redesign their project. Nearby residents tell us they have lost all faith in those in charge.

Glenbrook Road Resident Sandy Haley says, "I’m really disappointed that PennDOT and Kriger haven’t done more to stick with their timeline. Every time we speak with somebody from PennDOT, it just gets pushed and pushed, and the promises keep coming and they keep not being delivered on."

Haley owns Cherry Valley Farm on the same road and tells us there is no more drive-by business as a result of the closure.

Haley says, "We were having one of our best seasons that fall that August when the bridge did go out. Now it’s almost like we don’t have the heart to plant like we were planting the vegetable field. We haven’t processed nearly as much beef because the costumers just aren’t here."

Even more than that, not only do residents have to go out of their way, they remain on edge if an emergency should occur.

Glenbrook Road Resident Donna LaBar says, "If we needed an ambulance or the fire department, for them to get here, it’s an extra maybe 12-15 minutes and by then somebody could have died or their house could burn down."

PennDOT continues to ask for everyone’s patience as all of the expected reopening dates including it being done this month have all been just that, an anticipation.

Young says, "They’re designing it and building it so that’s one of the reasons why this project is having some minor issues because they usually work all this stuff out over a number of years in design process before a bridge goes out to a construction contract."

The good news is we’re told the contractor will be able to work through the winter and into the spring to get the bridge completed.

Young says, "We don’t anticipate any other issues related to environmental restrictions to prevent them from working. It’s just a matter of getting the cofferdam properly designed and implemented so they can do the work."

The contractor has indicated to PennDOT that they’ll be able to get things moving to be able to reopen the bridge this coming spring in Stroud Township.