The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced work will begin Monday (Jan. 23) to replace the Red Ridge Road Bridge over the Tomhicken Creek in North Union Township, Schuylkill County.

Crews will replace the existing structurally deficient steel I-beam bridge with a concrete bulb T-beam bridge.

Starting Monday, Red Ridge Road will be closed and detoured between Buck Mountain Road and PA 339. The posted detour will route traffic on Buck Mountain Road and PA 339. Motorists are advised to allow for extra time when traveling through the area.

The project is expected to be complete in November 2012. All schedules are weather dependent.

Deblin, Inc. of Mechanicsburg, Pa. is the general contractor on the $736,066 project.

The Red Ridge Road Bridge was constructed in 1937 and is posted with a nine-ton weight limit. The Bridge is 48 feet long and 24 feet wide. The new Bridge will be 50 long and 27 feet, 4 inches wide with no weight restriction. Locust Ridge Road has an average daily traffic volume of 337 vehicles.