The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting motorists that a Juniata County bridge is now closed after being damaged in a truck crash.

This structure is a covered bridge, known as the North Oriental Covered bridge. It spans Mahantango Creek on Route 2023 (Turkey Valley Road) at the Juniata/Snyder county line.  The bridge will be closed until repairs can be made. Signing is in place to enforce this closure.

The 65-foot bridge saw rehabilitation work in 1988 and carries an average of more than 800 vehicles per day.

While the bridge is closed a detour will be in place using Route 2023 (Turkey Valley Road), Route 3002 (Old 22 Road), Route 104, and Route 3001 (Covered Bridge Road). Drivers familiar with the area may choose alternate routes.

PennDOT reminds motorists to follow detour signing, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.

Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles 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 in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2. For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL    MEDIA CONTACT:  Marla Fannin (814) 360-3013, Timothy Nebgen (814) 360-3838

# # #