County approves extensions, contract and PennDOT amendment for West Railroad bridge project

The Mifflin County Board of Commissioners advanced several actions on the West Railroad bridge replacement project (Township Road 439 over Kish Creek in Brown Township) at its Feb. 19, 2026 meeting, approving schedule extensions, contracting steps and a formal amendment with PennDOT.

Jim presented items D through L, which included: a time extension for construction completion to Dec. 31, 2027; a supplement for additional construction inspection services because the job is expected to take 1.5 seasons rather than one; and authorization of notices to proceed for utilities and municipalities, naming Brightspeed (United Telephone), Brown Township, Comcast, Pennsylvania Electric Company and UGI Utilities. The board approved those items by voice vote.

The board ratified Contract 95971 with the lowest responsive bidder, Wbrook Contracting, and approved two addenda related to the construction schedule and roadway construction plans. The transcript’s readout of the contract amount was garbled and did not provide a clear numeric figure; the board nevertheless ratified the contract and expected construction activity to begin in spring.

The board also adopted Resolution No. 5 of 2026 amending the county’s agreement with PennDOT to reflect a decrease in total project cost from $4,871,000 to $4,372,437. Jim reported that the federal share totals $3,577,837 (about 82% of the revised total) while the municipal share is $794,600 (about 18%). Commissioners commended project staff for moving the long-running project to construction readiness.

All motions on the bridge agenda items were approved by voice vote. Staff indicated federal funds are in place for the project and that the contractor is expected to begin in spring under the approved addendum schedule.