Shapiro, Buttigieg announce $500m grant for I-83 bridge

I-83 bride grant ‘largest in Pa. history,’

The Shapiro Administration has secured $500 million for the Interstate 83 John Harris Memorial Bridge, the largest federal transportation grant in Pennsylvania history. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro joined U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, elected officials, and labor and local leaders to celebrate the grant.

“I’m proud to announce that thanks to our partnership with the Biden Administration, Pennsylvania has been awarded $500 million for the replacement of the I-83 bridge over the Susquehanna River,” Shapiro said in a statement. “This is the largest federal grant for a single transportation project in Pennsylvania history – and it’s a huge investment in this community and our commonwealth.

“I-83 is a vital artery in central Pennsylvania that connects our communities on each side of the river, helping 125,000 Pennsylvanians get to their jobs, medical appointments, and grocery stores every day,” added Shapiro.

Funded through the Federal Highway Administration‘s (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program, the $500 million Large Bridge Project grant will help replace the I-83 South Bridge, which connects downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County to the west shore in Cumberland County. The bridge carries over 125,000 vehicles across the Susquehanna River daily.

“When the Biden-Harris Administration took office in 2021, America faced a serious and worsening problem when it came to the condition of its bridges,” said Buttigieg. “Now we are seeing rapid progress in improving the condition of America’s bridges, thanks largely to President Biden’s historic infrastructure law.

“The number of bridges in good condition versus poor condition has already improved substantially under President Biden’s leadership, and today I’m thrilled to be in Pennsylvania to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America’s largest and economically significant bridges, including the I-83 South Bridge right here in Harrisburg,” added Buttigieg.

Casey called the grant “a game-changing victory for all who live, work, and travel through South Central Pennsylvania.”

“I pushed for this $500 million in funding from the infrastructure law because I know how important it is that this bridge remains safe and reliable for the many Pennsylvanians who count on it,” added Casey. “We’re celebrating a truly generational investment in our infrastructure, our safety, our supply chains, and our communities.”

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said the expansion of the South Bridge will allow Harrisburg to reach new heights.

“More than 125,000 vehicles cross this bridge every day,” said Williams. “It is a lifeline that supports our economy, and that of our neighbors on both sides of the Susquehanna River. The city is indebted to Governor Shapiro, Senator Casey, and Secretary Buttigieg for investing in Harrisburg in this truly impactful way.”

Built in 1960, the I-83 South Bridge was widened in 1982. Along with replacing the bridge, the Lemoyne interchange will be reconfigured, the S. 3rd Street bridge in Lemoyne will be replaced, and the viaduct from the Susquehanna River to Cameron Street, including the Front Street/2nd Street interchange, will be reconstructed. The project will see the structure widened and modernized with improved shoulders, on- and off-ramps, and interchanges, which is anticipated to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety.

The estimated total cost of the project is $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion. PennDOT will move the project into final design and procurement with construction beginning in 2026.