An emergency project to replace a bridge that carries Pennsylvania State Route 318 over Interstate 376 in Shenango Township in Mercer County.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that five bids have come in and that an apparent low bid has been accepted, though additional steps must be taken before the contract is officially awarded.

As it stands, the contractor Mekis Construction Corp. of Fenelton, Pennsylvania, has placed a bid at $5,145,068.12.

Once the additional steps are done, work will begin on the bridge replacement, according to PennDot.

The original bridge was struck by a truck traveling eastbound on I-376 on Dec. 7, 2023, taking heavy damage.

A later inspection revealed damage to three beams and a hole in the deck, which prompted officials to remove the bridge completely.

The original bridge was built in 1966 and was posted at 14 feet and 2 inches.

The new bridge will meet the current standard of 16 feet and six inches allowing for the structure to have a higher vertical clearance of 16 feet, six inches.