PA Department of Transportation official response regarding the McNally Bridge:

This is an issue that has been presented to us before and something that the Department has examined
in the past. Installation of protective fencing on the McNally Bridge has an initial cost of somewhere
between $400,000-$500,000 dollars and would carry with it a high maintenance cost due to the amount
of snow that the area receives and the adverse effect that the snow removal operations would have on
the fencing. We anticipate approximately 5%-10% of the fencing would need to be replaced each year
because of the damage that it will sustain during the snow removal operations. Not only will it need to
be repaired, it would also hinder snow removal operations because it would prevent the snow from
being plowed off the bridge and overtop of the barrier. Consequently, snow would need to be removed
from the shoulders of the bridge via a separate mechanical operation.

The other impact that the installation would have on the bridge is that it would interfere with federally
mandated bridge safety inspections. Currently, the McNally Bridge receives an in-depth safety
inspection every year. The cycle is annual versus the more typical biannual inspections done on bridges
because this particular bridge is considered fracture-critical and federal guidelines require more
frequent inspections. The bridge is inspected by utilizing a special department crane which is large
enough to do the job. Right now, it takes an entire week (5 working days) to inspect the nearly 1,400
foot bridge. If fence were installed, the crane would no longer have the ability to allow inspectors to do
their jobs without first removing the fence. As a result, a specialized support system would need to be
constructed from underneath the bridge so that inspectors could accomplish their task. The specialized
support system would need to be constructed each year at an estimated cost of $50,000.

We certainly understand the hurt and devastation that friends and family members that have lost loved
ones have experienced. However, the installation of protective fencing on the McNally Bridge would
have significant negative impacts on Department operations, most notably the very important,
federally-mandated annual safety inspections. Additionally, the inclusion of fencing on the bridge does
not guarantee that this problem would be completely solved. Determined individuals would still be able
to carry out their intentions in this area.