About this Project

The Columbia/Wrightsville Bridge, also known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge, is a 1.26-mile concrete multi-arch structure built in 1929, spanning the Susquehanna River, SR 0624, and Norfolk Southern rail lines. Once the world’s longest concrete multi-arch bridge, it remains a vital link between Lancaster and York Counties and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally scoped for deck and barrier rehabilitation, a 2023 NBIS inspection revealed significant deficiencies in primary load-carrying members, prompting PennDOT to revise the project into a more extensive rehabilitation effort. Interim repairs were completed in early 2025, and full construction is now scheduled for 2027–2031, including a three-year full closure to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

AEG provides comprehensive engineering services for the permanent rehabilitation of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. Our scope encompasses project management, stakeholder coordination, public involvement, alternatives analysis, environmental studies, geotechnical engineering, and advanced surveying.

A key component of AEG’s role is facilitating public engagement and agency coordination. This includes organizing public meetings, preparing materials, and summarizing feedback to ensure community concerns are addressed. AEG also supports the development and evaluation of project alternatives, including modifications to Section 4(f) documents for impacted parks and trails, and prepares environmental documentation required for regulatory approvals. We are actively involved in threatened and endangered species coordination, particularly with the Pennsylvania Game Commission regarding peregrine falcon nesting, and is responsible for updating environmental permits and mitigation plans.

Technical services provided by AEG include detailed field surveys and scanning of the bridge’s arches, river cross-sections, and railroad crossings. Our crews utilize advanced scanning technology to achieve high-accuracy measurements, supporting both design and right-of-way planning. AEG also prepares wetland identification and delineation reports, Phase I ESAs, and assists with waterway and environmental permitting. The scope further includes preparing final design documents, specifications, and cost estimates.

A significant task involved completing geotechnical auger sampling to determine the elevation of rock at all piers. Work included all advertising contracts, field oversight, and thorough documentation of results. Additionally, rock quality tests were performed at one location each in Columbia and Wrightsville, providing critical data to inform the final design and construction approach.

Throughout the project, AEG is committed to minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. We work closely with park managers, resource agencies, and local officials to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on parks, trails, and the surrounding community. Restoration plans for temporarily impacted areas, including wetlands and riverbanks, are developed in accordance with agency guidelines. By leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise, AEG supports PennDOT’s goal of preserving this historic structure while enhancing safety and connectivity for future generations.