D. EVERETT SMITH/FOR THE EXPRESS A vehicle passes through an active construction area on the state Route 44 bridge which connects Jersey Shore Borough and Nippenose Township.

JERSEY SHORE — Is there a giant cocoon over the Susquehanna River in Jersey Shore?

Yes.

While it looks like it is from a Mothra movie, it is very much needed.

According to a June 4 statement from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), it is a bridge restoration project for the “Route 44 (bridge) over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Nippenose Township and Jersey Shore Borough, Lycoming County.”

It was explained that contractor, Spartan Contracting, LLC, will be performing steel repairs and continuing the construction of a work platform in preparation for upcoming bridge painting. The statement warned that “drivers can expect single lane restrictions with flagging during daylight hours while this work is being performed.”

Drivers will see that “temporary traffic signals are installed and a truck detour is in effect with a single lane condition on the bridge and will remain in place for the duration of the project.”

One restriction is a “13 ‘6 (inch) height restriction in effect on the river bridge and will remain through the duration of the project” and a “10’ width restriction is in effect on the river bridge and will remain through the duration of the project.”

The Route 44 bridge project “is anticipated to be completed in the fall 2026, weather permitting.”

According to the Historic Bridges website, the structure itself was built in 1933 and is considered a “metal nine panel rivet-connected parker through truss, fixed.”

The site shared that major renovation had been conducted in 2000 and the main span currently stretches over 67 meters, and the structure length is over 135 meters and is over seven meters wide.

The repairs were announced in a statement back in March. Through the spring and summer “construction season (has been) underway, there is a renewed sense of energy, as PennDOT crews and industry partners begin construction to preserve and strengthen the transportation infrastructure throughout the region.”

According to the PennDOT District 3 Executive Eric High, an “investment (was) made into our transportation system is an investment into our future.”

He explained that each “project, big and small, supports our economy and enhances our communities by building and maintaining safe, reliable connections that move our region forward.”

This was part of the “PennDOT Engineering District 3… announced that 101 projects are anticipated to start during the 2026 construction season, and 37 projects will continue in 2026 in the nine-county, Montoursville-based region.”

PennDOT has invested more than $230.8 million in the region. That includes Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.

“This investment includes rehabilitating, reconstructing and resurfacing 86 miles of highways and working on 59 bridges,” the March statement said.

The Route 44 bridge was the first listed in Lycoming County.

Other roadwork done in Lycoming County includes:

— Route 54 bridge restoration over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Montgomery Borough and Muncy Creek Township.

— Interstate 180 highway improvement project between Brushy Ridge Road and the Route 15 interchange in the City of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, Montoursville Borough and Fairfield Township.

— The Route 654 mill and resurface between Market Street (Route 15) southbound in South Williamsport Borough.

— Edgewood Avenue in Duboistown Borough.

— Warrensville Road (Route 2039) embankment stabilization project between Third Street (Route 2014) and Millwood Lane in Loyalsock Township.

PennDOT further urged “motorists to slow down when driving in work zones, and also to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions and to pay attention to signs and flaggers.”

Should drivers need to keep up with the latest “conditions on major roadways”, PennDOT has 511PA.com a site that provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.