The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation took another step forward on the massive I-83 John Harris Memorial Bridge replacement in Harrisburg, expecting construction to begin in January of 2027.
The $1.3 billion initiative—commonly known as the South Bridge Project—aims to replace the aging 65-year-old structure spanning the Susquehanna River. Originally built in 1960 and expanded in 1982, the bridge carries over 125,000 vehicles daily between downtown Harrisburg and Cumberland County, making it one of Central Pennsylvania’s most vital transportation corridors.
PennDOT said the total structural overhaul of the John Harris Memorial Bridge to replace the deteriorating span is being funded in part by a $500 million federal Bridge Improvement Program grant.
“The time has come to replace the existing bridge,” PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll said. “It was built around 1960, and it carries 125,000 vehicles every day. The bridges do not last forever, and it’s time for that bridge to be replaced.”
Other changes include full redesign of the Lemoyne interchange on the West Shore and the Front Street/2nd Street interchange on the East Shore. Reconstruction of the viaduct stretching from the Susquehanna River to Cameron Street, along with a full replacement of the South 3rd Street bridge in Lemoyne.
With final design plans wrapping up, PennDOT expects construction to officially break ground in early 2027 and could take several years to complete. Drivers on the I-83 Capital Beltway can expect significant long-term traffic impacts, though officials emphasize the investment is essential to ensure regional safety and preserve a vital economic lifeline.
