PennDOT-funded Trumbull (Cumberland) Drive bridge set for design, borough’s share capped at 5%

Green Tree — Consultants updated the Green Tree Borough Council on the replacement of the Trumbull (also referred to as Cumberland) Drive bridge, saying the existing structure is inspected every six months and that PennDOT has moved the project forward for full funding and design.

Chris Wilmer, project manager with Gannett Fleming, told council the bridge is a fracture‑critical, two‑girder structure and “it is inspected on a 6 month frequency,” adding the bridge’s superstructure condition rating is currently a 4 on the 10‑point scale. “It is currently not posted. It is safe and has capacity to carry legal loads without a post in. And, again, that's all monitored on a 6 month basis through the inspection process,” Wilmer said.

Why it matters: council members and residents have pressed for clarity on the bridge’s safety and the project’s cost and timing. The consultant said PennDOT is providing the bulk of construction funding under its program (approximately 80% of approved project cost), while the borough’s statutory or programmatic maximum contribution is 5% of the total construction cost. Borough staff said the borough has budgeted $350,000 in bond proceeds and has identified an additional $500,000 in grant proceeds that may be applied toward the local share.

Key facts and schedule

• Current condition and monitoring: Wilmer said the structure’s superstructure rating remains at 4 from previous inspections; PennDOT inspects the bridge…