Motorists in Spring Garden Township benefit from a project on a well-traveled roadway that was led by the C.S. Davidson Engineer in Training and Project Designer.
Jared Perricone, EIT, a Project Designer at C.S. Davidson, made his way along a corrugated metal arch culvert beneath Rathton Road in 2022, conducting a standard bridge inspection. What he found in the center surprised him. A four-foot-long section of the arch was rusted out with multiple holes.
If action weren’t taken soon, a sinkhole could form in the middle of the road just outside the entrance to the Penn State York campus.
C.S. Davidson brought its findings to the Spring Garden Township Board of Commissioners. In April 2023, the board approved the civil engineering firm’s plan to replace the bridge. Jared was assigned to serve as the project’s primary designer.
Enhancing safety and usability
Jared settled on a precast concrete box culvert for the new bridge. A stretch of road would have to be excavated, followed by placing sections of square concrete tube end to end under the roadway. After that, the surface would be regraded, curbed, and paved.
“These are pretty expensive up front,” Jared says of this type of bridge replacement. “But when they’re installed properly, you and I will never have to touch it again in our lifetime.”
While Jared initially focused just on replacing the aging bridge, the Rathton Road project soon grew into a comprehensive roadway upgrade. With his hands-on approach and a knack for creative problem-solving, Jared oversaw multiple facets of the project, from stormwater management to bridge design to installing the correct pitch along a curve in the road.
In an area once so overgrown with bamboo that it often blocked drivers’ view of the road, Jared opted to plant specialized seed mix, which added a layer of beauty and durability to the landscaping.
Working with a church adjacent to the project site, Jared helped to address a longtime issue in which a heavy rain would send water rushing toward the church’s front door. Through curbing and new stormwater drainage, the team helped minimize the risk of flooding.
Stormwater solutions with environmental benefits
Jared designed a rocky cross vane to deal with the flow of Poorhouse Run. That system helped to end severe erosion and scouring that had led to a deep pool and dangerously steep stream banks forming. Instead of relying on an excessive amount of fill material, Jared’s team used rocks several feet across to stabilize the area and maintain the water’s natural flow, creating a safer stream environment and aiding the area’s wildlife.
Inside the concrete culvert, small walls at the bottom serve as baffles for fish, allowing them to swim beneath the roadway without being carried too swiftly by the current.
“I like making things work for us, for the community,” Jared says. “That stream is going to be so much healthier now. All the problems we found are solved, and that’s a good feeling.”
This emphasis on environmental integrity is an essential part of Jared’s approach. In his view, good engineering solutions go beyond designing for function to include considering the broader ecosystem as well. The new bridge design not only prevents further erosion but also enhances local water quality and wildlife access, promoting long-term ecological health.
Jared ensured that the community was aware of the project before work began. Before closing the road for construction in August 2024, he coordinated with various stakeholders, including utility companies and nearby residents, to minimize disruptions.
When he realized that electrical power would have to be cut for a day, he went door to door, informing affected neighbors. His proactive communication helped him gain community support for the work. Now that the project is completed, Jared appreciates the positive feedback he’s received from Township officials and residents near the site.
‘A much nicer atmosphere’
When Jared isn’t leading engineering projects, he’s often inspecting bridges, his favorite being the span to Three Mile Island in the Susquehanna River. A member of C.S. Davidson since 2019, he joined the bridge design and inspection team.
While he spends some time behind a desk, Jared loves to be on-site. Learning through hands-on experience not only helps him strengthen his designs but also offers insights into potential improvements for future projects. As he works toward earning his Professional Engineering license and advances into more project management roles at C.S. Davidson, he looks forward to continuing to grow with a company that is supportive and owned by its employees.
“The company is really special because it’s employee-owned,” he says. “People are here because they want to be there. That’s a much nicer atmosphere to be in every day.”