ELMHURST, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Lackawanna County officials reopened the newly constructed CG Smith Road Bridge over Roaring Brook in Elmhurst on Thursday, marking the completion of a roughly $3.1 million replacement project that finished two months ahead of schedule.
Construction began in October 2025 by Grace Industries of Bath, Pennsylvania, replacing the bridge originally built in 1935.
Several officials, including Lackawanna County Engineer Frank Summa, commissioners Thom Welby, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak, and PennDOT District 4 Executive Jonathan Eboli attended the ceremony and delivered remarks before the ribbon cutting.
Summa said the county decided around 2022 to replace the nearly century-old bridge. Planning, design and permitting took about two and a half years and required coordination with PennDOT as two other bridge replacement projects were already underway on Route 435.
Eboli explained that the age and condition of the previous structure made a full replacement necessary. The new bridge incorporates modern materials, including epoxy-coated rebar and a protective coating on the concrete deck, intended to help guard against corrosion and winter road salt.
“So yes, this bridge was originally built nearly 100 years ago. The original bridge was built with older construction materials, so it was due to be replaced. Some bridges can be rehabilitated, but this one was not in that category. The county did need to move forward with a full replacement, and PennDOT was happy to be a part of that,” said Eboli.
Officials said the bridge provides an important local connection across Roaring Brook, including access to the Elmhurst Township building, sewer authority, volunteer fire company grounds and a nearby softball field.
Reopening the bridge also marked the end of a difficult closure for nearby residents and businesses, according to Welby. He said the community remained patient throughout the project and that restoring access was an important part of completing the work.
“Lackawanna County is responsible for 154 bridges or culverts across the region. That’s just an incredible amount of responsibility that we have, and with that, some massive costs that we incur. With the CG Smith Road Bridge and many other projects, we’re glad to have the support from local communities, state and federal government, and PennDOT,” said Welby.
Despite the bridge being completed two months ahead of schedule, Eboli said structural quality had not been sacrificed. He credited the early completion to coordination among the contractor, PennDOT construction managers, consultants and other project partners.