The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that Little Washington Road will be closed and detoured between Dilworth Road and Marshall Road in East Brandywine Township, Chester County on Monday, March 5 for the rehabilitation of the structurally-deficient bridge over Culbertson Run. The bridge is scheduled to reopen in August 2012.

During construction, eastbound Little Washington Road through traffic will be detoured over Route 322, Hopewell Road and Corner Ketch Road.  Westbound Little Washington Road will follow Corner Ketch Road, Hopewell Road and Gutherieville Road. Motorists will need to allow extra time when traveling through the area. Local access will be maintained up the construction zone.

Over the next five months, crews will rehabilitate reinforced concrete arch bridge by replacing the concrete bridge deck; and installing guide rail.

The two-span bridge was built in 1903.  It is 39 feet long and 20 feet wide.  The structure carries 1,649 vehicles a day. The bridge will no longer be classified as structurally deficient following this improvement project. 

The work is part of PennDOT’s $7,488,752 project to rehabilitate eight bridges in Chester and Delaware counties.

J.D. Eckman, of Atglen, PA, is the general contractor on the project which is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds.  Construction on all eight bridges is expected to finish in April 2014.

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major highways before heading out.

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