Work began this week to replace a 98-year-old bridge that carries Route 18 over Conneaut Creek Tributary in Spring Township, Crawford County.

Work on the bridge, which is located between Angling Road and Shadeland Road started Monday, June 5, and will include replacing the existing structure with a box culvert.   

The project will require a detour, which will be posted using Route 6, Route 98, and Route 198. It is expected to be in place for approximately three months.

The new bridge is expected to be opened in late August 2023.

The existing bridge was built in 1925 and is classified as in poor condition. Approximately 2,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, on average.

The contractor is Thomas Construction, Inc., of Grove City, PA. The contract cost is $762,895, which is to be paid entirely with state funds.

This year PennDOT's Northwest Region expects to do work on more than 100 projects. To see a full listing of all the anticipated work, check out the 2023 Construction Book located under the Resources tab online at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.

PennDOT urges 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. Drive responsibly in work zones for your safety and the safety of the workers.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.gov/District1.

Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook.

Contact: Saxon Daugherty, 814-678-7095 or sadaughert@pa.gov