MECHANICSBURG | The Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, has been honored with both a Prize Bridge Award and an ACEC/PA Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence, underscoring the project’s significance in the bridge engineering community and the state’s infrastructure landscape.

As one of the highest bridges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike system, the Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement project presented unique engineering and environmental challenges. The original three-span, 750-foot steel deck truss bridge, constructed in the early 1950s, spanned a rocky gorge within Hickory Run State Park. Modjeski and Masters led a multi-disciplined team to deliver a replacement structure that not only addressed the technical complexities but also respected the sensitive natural setting.

The new bridge is a single 720-foot-long steel structure featuring a 465-foot three-rib deck arch span, flanked by steel plate girder approach spans. Designed for future expansion, it carries two traffic lanes in each direction with wide shoulders and incorporates welded steel box arch ribs for both structural performance and visual appeal. The project also included the replacement of a nearby three-span bridge carrying I-476 over SR 534 with a 120-foot single-span steel plate girder bridge.

The project’s innovative design, meticulous planning, and skilled execution were recognized by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s leadership, who commended the team for overcoming significant logistical challenges while honoring the legacy of the original historic bridge. The ACEC/PA Diamond Award and the Prize Bridge Award celebrate the project’s technical excellence, stakeholder coordination, and contribution to the region’s transportation network.

These accolades reflect Modjeski and Masters’ long-standing history and niche expertise in complex bridge replacements, as well as the firm’s commitment to delivering high-quality, forward-thinking solutions for critical infrastructure across Pennsylvania and beyond.