Two major bridge construction projects in Snyder County are scheduled to begin soon.

The first will begin this week, as a state Department of Transportation contractor will undertake a bridge replacement project along Route 35, west of Freeburg in Washington Township.

In Middleburg, the Route 522 bridge in the center of town will be replaced during the summer, but preparation work will begin shortly.

The Route 35 bridge over Susquehecka Creek, built in 1952, will be replaced with a new, single-span concrete bridge. The old bridge had the poorest rating of state highway bridge in the four-county region, according to PennDOT's inspection reports. The bridge is just west of Red Bank Road, about a half-mile south of Freeburg.

Traffic will be maintained during the project with a temporary roadway and temporary traffic signals.

Once the temporary road is operational in about two weeks, traffic will be restricted to 12 feet in width. Any vehicles wider than 12 feet will be detoured. Detour signs will be in place.

The $1.3 million contract is scheduled for completion by early November. Jay Fulkroad & Sons Inc., of McAlisterville, is the primary contractor.

Preparations for replacement of the 75-year-old Route 522 Bridge in downtown Middleburg are scheduled for the week of March 31.

Eastern Industries Inc., of Winfield, will start with the installation of temporary utility poles and traffic signals about April 1. Traffic on Route 522 will initially be restricted to a single, 12-foot wide lane through the work zone, with flaggers controlling traffic flow.

A temporary traffic signal will be installed at Paxtonville Road and Route 104 for controlling traffic on the detour route.

According to Rick Mason, public information officer for PennDOT at Montoursville, this project was scheduled so it won't disrupt school bus traffic to Midd-West High School.

Mason said several detour routes will be available. Signed detours will be implemented in early June, when actual construction begins. Another travel advisory, with additional details, will be issued before the detour goes into effect.

Once the detours are in effect, the contractor will remove the existing single-span steel bridge over a tributary to Middle Creek and replace it with a pre-cast concrete bridge.

Drainage improvements, curbing and sidewalk and new blacktop are included in the project.

All work under this $1.08 million contract is scheduled for completion by the end of August.