The Shapiro Administration today praised the rapid response and coordinated effort of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) staff, Mercer County first responders and contractor employees who responded to the emergency demolition of the Route 318 bridge over the eastbound lanes of Interstate 376.
The bridge was struck by the boom of a truck on the morning of December 7 and sustained substantial damage. First responders, including employees from PennDOT's Mercer County maintenance facility, were on the scene quickly to close the bridge and detour interstate traffic. Within an hour, a bridge inspection team was on scene assessing the structure, which had damage to three beams and a hole in the deck.
For the safety of traffic traveling eastbound under the bridge, it was determined the damaged portion of the bridge should be removed as soon as possible, and the highway remained closed in that area.
"From the moment we were alerted of the crash, the PennDOT team, along with our fellow first responders, were focused on safety. Through collaboration on many levels, we were able to get the detours in place, the truck removed, and the bridge inspected rapidly," said District 1 Executive Brian McNulty, P.E. "I commend the PennDOT team, our external partners, and our contractor for working swiftly to reopen the interstate to free-flowing traffic in less than 34 hours."
Mekis Construction of Fenelton, PA was contracted to remove the bridge. They moved equipment on site on the evening of December 7 and began the demolition process at approximately 7:00 AM on December 8, 2023. In two hours, the beams had been dropped to the ground and work focused on removing the rubble. At 8:00 PM, 11 hours after demolition began, the eastbound lanes of I-376 were reopened.
Completing the removal so quickly allowed for the highway to be free flowing for holiday weekend travel and complements Governor Shapiro's commitment to transforming Pennsylvania government to more effectively serve Pennsylvanians by cutting through red tape and working as safely and efficiently as possible. It is that same spirit that was demonstrated in the effort to successfully open I-95 in just 12 days, and PennDOT's team of expert engineers and work crews continue to work efficiently for people across Pennsylvania.
The spans over the westbound lanes remain intact and the bridge will remain closed until a replacement can be constructed.
"Prior to the crash, the bridge was rated in fair condition. Our team had estimated about 20 more years of service life for the structure, so it was not on our current list for design or funding. This means that following the crash, our team had to immediately start the process of determining what work is needed to reopen the bridge," McNulty said. "It was decided the entire bridge will be replaced."
Constructing a new bridge will allow for the structure to have a higher vertical clearance. The former bridge, which was built in 1966, was posted at 14 feet, 2 inches. A new bridge will meet the current standard of 16 feet, 6 inches.
Consultant Michael Baker International has been retained to help the department develop preliminary plans for replacing the 218-foot structure.
"Having a consultant on board less than two weeks after the incident will help us move through the design process at an accelerated pace," McNulty said. "We continue to look for other ways to fast-track the project, but all the steps must still be completed with due diligence to ensure the new structure can serve the public safely and efficiently for 100 years."
The current target is for a contract to be awarded is spring 2024 with construction starting later that year.
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Contact: Jill Harry, jharry@pa.gov or 814-678-5035
