Dear Avondale Community 

This letter is to inform you about a significant development concerning the bridge over the White Clay Creek along Rte. 41/Pennsylvania Ave in Avondale Borough. Recently, we received a notification from PennDOT that the weight limit for this bridge will be reduced to 27 Tons (54,000 lbs.), except for combinations of 40 Tons (80,000 lbs.), in accordance with Section §4902(a) of the PA Vehicle Code. This weight reduction is due to an engineering study that assessed the bridge’s structural condition.

This reduction in weight limit poses a substantial safety risk, considering the heavy truck traffic and the potential impediment to emergency vehicles. According to the Route 41 Corridor Study, the average number of trucks that cross this bridge per day is 3,427. This change will have a significant negative impact to our community and the businesses in the entire region.

Despite the Borough’s continued efforts, we have been unable to persuade PennDOT to establish a repair/replacement schedule for this essential bridge. 

We believe it is crucial to keep our community informed, and we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials for assistance with getting this bridge repaired and for information on the specific measures PennDOT intends to implement. The safety of our community is at stake, and the impact to commerce will be significant. 

For any questions and concerns, please call the Borough office at 610-268-8501 or visit our website (www.avondaleboro.net) for updates. We will continue to provide information as we receive it. Your interest and engagement in this matter are greatly appreciated.