PennDOT closes bridge Tuesday in Mercer County

GROVE CITY, Pa. — A 1928-vintage bridge will close at 9 a.m. Tuesday because a recent inspection by state engineers revealed severe structural deficiencies in its deck and main steel girders, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced this afternoon.

The bridge carries Irishtown Road (Route 2005) over Canadian National Railroad tracks in Pine Township, Mercer County. A daily average of 1,931 vehicles crosses the 162-foot-long bridge, which is owned by the railroad.

The bridge will remain closed until it can be repaired or replaced, said PennDOT, which ordered the closing. Replacement is scheduled in 2015.

Traffic will be detoured along Cranberry and George Junior roads and state Route 58.