The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is removing parts of the bridge that carries Route 318 over Interstate 376 in Mercer County after being hit by a semi-truck Thursday. 

PennDOT reported late Thursday morning that the bridge had been closed after being struck by a large truck. 

A department bridge inspection crew visited the site within an hour of the crash to assess the damage and determined that for the safety of traffic traveling eastbound under the bridge, the damaged portion of the bridge should be removed.

The demolition process begins Friday, December 8th. 

A reopening date for Route 318 will be determined once PennDOT officials decide on the next steps to either repair or replace the entire structure. 

The detour for Route 318 is posted using Route 18 and Interstate I-376 westbound. 

In connection with the crash, Interstate 376 eastbound is closed from the Interstate 80 interchange to the Route 18 exit.