UPDATE 3:30 p.m. (7/2): The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says emergency repairs will start on the damaged bridge in Troy next week. The two-lane bridge on Route 6 was damaged after a semi-truck hit the bridge's truss on June 12.

PennDOT says J.D. Eckman, Inc. will start repairs Monday. The company will remove damaged trusses that cannot be heat straightened, and straighten the others that do not have to be removed.

Work is expected to be finished by the end of August.

PennDOT is asking motorists to use Leona Rd., Springfield Rd. and Route 14 as a detour around the bridge. Truckers are advised to use Berwick Turnpike instead of Leona Rd. until repairs are complete.


TROY, PA (WENY) -- Pennsylvania State Department of Transportation officials wrapped up a press conference on the damaged bridge on Route 6 in Troy Township on Monday morning.  

The two-lane bridge was damaged on June 12th, when a semi-truck was carrying an oversized load and hit the truss overhead. The load became wedged under the structure and took hours to remove.  

“This load did get a permit to travel the route,” Eric High, the P.E., District Executive of PENNDOT, said. “The permit stated that the load was 14 feet six inches...which would have allowed a four-inch buffer to travel through...that doesn’t appear to be the case. It appears it was at least greater than 14 feet 10 inches.” 

High said Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate why the tractor trailer was cleared to transport the load along the route.  

“I can tell you that Governor Shapiro and I are committed to having this roadway reopened as quickly as possible and we will work with the contractor and the consultant and our District Three PENNDOT folks to make sure that happens in short order,” Mike Carroll, Secretary of PENNDOT, said.  

PENNDOT has identified emergency funding for the bridge. Carroll said Route 6 acts as an important “highway” to truck drivers and travelers. The cost of repairs is expected to cost approximately one to two million dollars.  

“The next steps are to actually start implementing the repairs,” High said. “Before we do that, we have to do an inventory to check availability of steel...the specialized steel that’s needed for this and make sure we can get that on site.” 

As soon as the steel is acquired, High said the repairs can begin. For now, a detour remains in place. 

“We expect that to remain in place throughout the construction,” he said. “The bridge is not safe to cross by motorized vehicles...though, obviously walking out and taking a look at the damage isn’t a concern at this point. However, when construction is underway, we advise folks to stay outside of the construction area.”  

PENNDOT officials said they will have a better idea on when the bridge will be open in the coming week. The construction team’s goal is to have the repairs completed by the end of August.