MERCER CO., Pa. — Work to replace a 69-year-old, structurally deficient bridge on Route 62 in Jefferson Township, Mercer County, is scheduled to begin next month.

The project will replace the existing 10-foot-long concrete slab bridge with a new precast reinforced-concrete box culvert. Work will also include new roadway approaches and updated guiderails.

The bridge, over a tributary to Magargee Run, is located on Route 62 about one quarter-mile east of the intersection with Charleston Road (T-300) and about three-quarters of a mile west of the intersection with South Bend Road (T-546).

The bridge was built in 1948 and is classed as structurally deficient. It is used by about 7,000 vehicles a day, on average.

Work is to begin on September 11, 2017. The road is expected to be open to traffic by October 20, 2017, and the project is scheduled for completion by October 27, 2017.

Separate car and truck detours will be required during construction.

The posted car detour will use Charlestown Road, Lamor Road, and South Bend Road.

The posted truck detour will use Route 19, Interstate 80, and Route 18.

The contractor is the Mekis Construction Corporation of Fenelton, PA. The contract cost is $395,162.60, which is to be paid entirely with state funds.

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.

For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.

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 825 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.

Follow local PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAErie.