Replacing Beaver Run Bridge in Salem to cost $1 million

Westmoreland County plans to spend more than $1 million to replace Beaver Run Bridge, a 60-year-old steel structure on Story Road in Salem.

Work on a new, longer and wider bridge could begin early next year, said Greg McCloskey, the county's Public Works director.

“The bridge will be closed for a good eight or nine months,” McCloskey said.

Motorists will have to drive a six-mile detour during construction, he said.

The new bridge is expected to cost about $1.05 million and will be paid for using mostly federal and state grants. About 5 percent of the project will be paid from county revenues.

Bids will be solicited next month.

State inspectors about three or four years ago determined the bridge was structurally deficient after they found concrete from its abutments had started to deteriorate.

The two-lane bridge remained open but as a result of the inspection, weight restrictions were implemented and traffic was reduced to just one lane of travel.

The concrete deck of the new bridge will be longer, at 42 feet, McCloskey said.