Apr 25, 2026 By Mike Jones 3 min read

Construction crews for several weeks have been working around the Layton Bridge and adjacent tunnel, reshaping the terrain in preparation of building a new span across the Youghiogheny River near Perryopolis.

Photographs and videos circulating on social media recently show how big machinery has cut away the hillside next to the tunnel next that leads to the single-lane bridge, and trees have been removed from both hillsides along the river’s edge.

The state Department of Transportation and its contractors have been working around the site as part of a $56 million project to build a new, two-lane span about 200 feet southeast of the current bridge. Ground was officially broken in January to replace the 127-year-old Layton Bridge built just before the turn of the 20th century to carry trains across the Youghioheny River in Perry Township.

The hillside overshadows the Great Allegheny Passage on the southern side of the river has been mostly carved away to make room for the approach ramp to the new bridge. The bike trail was closed for several hours Thursday while crews paved around the area to allow for construction vehicles to access the site. Temporary fencing has been erected on both sides of the trail to keep pedestrians and bicyclists from accessing the construction area, and the parking lot next to the trailhead has been removed.

Temporary paving along the GAP Trail is not expected to impact trail users, as (PennDOT) and the contractor are working together to minimize disruptions to the greatest extent possible,” said Huytu Nguyen, who is the construction project manager. “(PennDOT) is also coordinating with Great Allegheny Passage management to ensure the work is properly planned and that notifications are provided to keep the general public well informed of upcoming construction activities.”

One of the reasons for the lengthy delay in starting construction was due to the number of studies performed in the area in an effort not to disturb the local bat population. Nguyen said in addition to sewer line relocation and stream work along Washington Run that has been completed, the contractor also installed “bat exclusionary devices” in the area to keep them from entering the work zones.

Nguyen said preparations are now underway to begin rock cut blasting in the area.

“The project is progressing on schedule,” Nguyen said.

As the work proceeds, PennDOT announced there will be single-lane closures on Layton Road beginning Monday as crews reconstruct Tunnel Road. Traffic will be able to proceed on Tunnel Road on a stone surface until it is repaved, PennDOT officials said. The single-lane restrictions, which will have flaggers directing traffic, will continue until mid-May.

Traffic stoppages at 15-minute intervals also began April 6 and will continue through October to allow crews from Joseph B. Fay Co. to complete roadway and survey work on Layton Road.

The Layton Bridge is a landmark and listed as a National Register of Historic Places, but its age and corrosion have forced numerous closures for inspections and repairs in recent years. PennDOT attempted to find options to preserve the bridge or even find a private buyer, but eventually settled on removing it and replacing the span when no other options were viable. The Layton Tunnel will eventually be closed to traffic and sealed.

The new bridge is expected to be completed by late 2029.