To minimize the impact on commuter traffic, work to remove the Beckman Road Bridge over Interstate 90 in Girard Township in Erie County will be done during nighttime hours starting September 8, 2025.
Drivers should be alert for slow-moving traffic, rolling closures, and lane restrictions on I-90 between Exit 16 (Route 98, Franklin Center, Fairview) and Exit 9 (Route 18, Girard, Platea) in both the westbound and eastbound lanes. Work is expected to start the Monday evenings and continue overnights through Friday mornings. Work is expected to happen from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM during workdays and take approximately three weeks to complete.
The Beckman Road bridge was struck by a large vehicle in February 2025. Several beams suffered significant damage, and the bridge was closed for the safety of the traveling public.
The contractor for the bridge removal is Mekis Construction Corporation of Fenelton, PA. The contract cost is $391,409, which will be paid entirely with state funds.
Constructing a new bridge at this location is slated to happen in connection with the I-90 Reconstruction Project from mile marker 10.5 to mile marker 18, which is expected to start in 2028. Removal of the bridge was accelerated to reduce the risk of another incident.
This is a continuation of the long-term plan to reconstruct the first 18 miles of I-90. Construction on the first of three I-90 Reconstruction contracts started in 2019. The effort will culminate with a total investment of more than $217 million and improvements to safety and roadway conditions that will allow travelers and freight to flow smoothly and efficiently in and out of Erie County.
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.
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 1,000 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.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or jharry@pa.gov