The Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge is expected to be closed for more than eight months beginning at 7 a.m. March 3 as part of a $16.6 million repair project, PennDOT announced Friday.

Jim Struzzi, PennDOT spokesman, said on an average day about 12,588 vehicles use the bridge, which carries vehicles over the Ohio River from Route 51 in Aliquippa to 11th Street in Ambridge.  The span in Beaver County isn’t expected to reopen until mid-November.

Signs will be posted to guide motorists, Struzzi said.

Posted detours will take southbound traffic on Route 65 and Route 51 to the already-congested Sewickley Bridge.

Struzzi said crews would be working around-the-clock, performing steel repairs under the bridge deck and substructure work. 

The $16.6 million project to rehabilitate the 10-span structure includes rehabilitation, deck and sidewalk replacement, concrete spall repair, steel repair and replacement, railing, structural steel painting, bituminous pavement patching, pavement markings and other improvements. 

The prime contractor is the Trumbull Corp. of Pittsburgh and the overall project is expected to conclude in late 2013.

Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays when traveling. 

Posted detours      

From Ambridge:

• Take 11th Street to Duss Avenue (Route 989)
• Turn right onto Duss Avenue and follow to Eighth Street
• Make right onto Eighth Street and continue to Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)
• Take Route 65 south to the Sewickley Bridge in Allegheny County
• Cross bridge and make right onto Route 51
• Continue north on Route 51 back to Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge

From Route 51/Aliquippa:

• Same detour in opposite direction