O’Hara bridge scheduled to reopen with new name after 5-month reconstruction
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The Brownshill Road Bridge in O’Hara is scheduled to reopen next week with a new look and a new name.
The span, closed for five months during reconstruction, will be called the Judith B. Spray Bridge in honor of a late township employee.
A dedication ceremony will be hosted at 8 a.m. at the bridge which sits off Saxonburg Boulevard.
“Judy Spray was a community visionary,” township Manager Julie Jakubec said.
She joined the township planning commission in 1983 and served as its chair for 27 years, from 1985 until her death in July 2012.
Spray also gave her time to several township ad-hoc committees, like the Guyasuta joint municipal planning committee, the long-range planning committee and the comprehensive recreation team.
Jakubec said Spray was instrumental in obtaining grants for communities throughout southwestern Pennsylvania for public water and sewer projects.
“Due to her extensive knowledge of the administration of public contracts and funding, she was recognized as an expert in the industry and taught numerous training seminars and won several awards from various state agencies,” Jakubec said.
“Judy was a true O’Hara leader,” Jakubec added. “The bridge will be a lasting tribute to her memory.”
The bridge closed April 1 for a $1.1 million reconstruction project.
Township Engineer Chuck Steinert said the new bridge has two 11-foot lanes, wide enough for two vehicles.
Formerly made of steel and concrete, the new bridge is made with pre-stressed concrete beams.
Work also included the realignment of the Brownshill Road and Saxonburg Boulevard intersection.