When the state Department of Transportation replaces the 104-year-old McLaughlin Run Road bridge at Maple Street in Bridgeville, about 7,000 motorists a day will have to deal with a 5.5-mile detour.

But, they will have plenty of time to make alternate travel plans. Work won't begin until March 2011 with construction to last about eight months.

McLaughlin Run Road residents and borough officials received a preview of the $1 million project Nov. 10 from the state and L. Robert Kimball & Associates Architects and Engineers, the prime contractor.

Final design work will begin in January with the contracts expected to be awarded by December 2010, according to Kimball representatives.

The bridge, constructed in 1905, is rated structurally deficient by PennDOT.

Kevin O'Connor, project manager from L. Robert Kimball, said the new bridge would be wider than the old -- from 18 to 24 feet. A gas line will be on the outside face of the bridge, not the deck as on the current bridge.

There will be no bend in the new bridge, though the old one has a bend. Minor improvements will be made to the roadway approach.

The new bridge will be about 10 inches higher and the length over McLaughlin Run will be 45 feet -- 5 feet more than the old one, Mr. O'Connor added.

Since McLaughlin Run Road will be closed during construction, traffic will be detoured via Bower Hill, Painters Run and McMillan roads. A temporary pedestrian crossing will be provided.

Several safety-minded residents favored putting two sidewalks on the bridge instead of just the 5-foot-wide one planned.

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