🚧 New Bridge Projects in York County Set to Begin — Here’s What You Need to Know

Big news for York County commuters: two major bridge projects are officially underway in 2025, and while they’ll bring temporary detours, they promise safer roads and better infrastructure for years to come.

If you live in Dover or Warrington Townships, or you regularly travel along Route 74 (Carlisle Road) or Harmony Grove Road, here’s everything you need to know.

🛠 What’s Happening?

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is launching a two-part initiative to improve two bridges that span Conewago Creek — and both are critical to daily travel in York County.

🔹 1. Route 74 (Carlisle Road) Bridge Replacement

• Located between Alpine Road and Conewago Road

• The current four-span steel I-beam bridge is being replaced with a three-span concrete bulb-tee beam bridge

• This means a stronger, more modern structure that can better support today’s traffic volume

🔹 2. Route 4014 (Harmony Grove Road) Bridge Preservation

• Located between Detters Mill Road and Conewago Road

• This concrete box beam bridge isn’t being replaced, but will undergo preservation work to extend its lifespan and ensure safety

📅 Timeline & Closures

Here’s what the construction schedule looks like:

🔧 March 10, 2025

• Work begins on the Route 74 bridge — starting with prep work like pier and causeway construction

• Good news: no immediate closures or detours yet

🔧 July 2025

• The Harmony Grove Road bridge will close for up to 117 days

• Once that reopens, Route 74 will then close for full replacement — that closure could last up to 240 days

✅ Detour plans will be shared before each closure to help commuters navigate around the construction zones with minimal hassle.

💡 Why This Matters

These upgrades are part of York County’s broader push to modernize infrastructure and keep our roads safe and efficient.

• The bridges are decades old and no longer meet modern standards

• Upgrading now prevents unexpected shutdowns later due to emergency repairs

• Safer bridges = fewer crashes and better travel for locals, truckers, and emergency responders

🗺 Other Local Projects

This isn’t a one-off fix. The county has also approved a One- and Six-Year Road/Bridge Plan for 2025, which includes several infrastructure updates throughout the area. It’s a long-term investment in York County’s safety, growth, and quality of life.

🚦 What You Should Do Now

• Keep an eye out for posted detours and construction zone updates

• Follow PennDOT or local township websites and social media for real-time alerts

• Plan ahead: allow extra commute time during closures

• Support local businesses near the work zones — they’ll be impacted too

👷 Final Thoughts

Yes, it’ll mean a few detours and some inconvenience in the short term. But these projects are a much-needed step toward a safer, stronger, and smarter York County.

We’ll continue to monitor progress and share updates as they happen. In the meantime, drive safe, be patient with crews, and know that better roads are just around the corner. 🚗🛣