Busy Chester County bridge now closed until 2016

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Starting today, a bridge in Chester County that is used by thousands of drivers each day will be out of commission until 2016.

PennDOT says the 48-year-old Valley Forge Road Bridge on Route 23 over Pickering Creek is in such bad shape, it will need to be torn down and replaced.

The shutdown officially happened Monday morning. It'll be a major headache for the 20,000 motorists who use it each year.

"We have to take the entire bridge deck off, the steel beams will all be removed and replaced, there's concrete spalling which means broken concrete, heavy rust on the beams, section loss. So, it's a major overhaul, estimate it at $1.8 million," said Gene Blaum of PennDOT.

This will have major impact through the western suburbs, with Valley Forge Road shut down between Phoenixville and Valley Forge.

There will be detour routes to roads that are already congested, including Route 422 to Oaks, Egypt Road to Route 29 and Bridge Street through Phoenixville.

Those who live near that section of Route 32 know that congestion and slowdowns are coming.

"It's going to be a nightmare because it's the way to get to the King of Prussia Mall, it's the way to get to Valley Forge. It's just going to be a nightmare," said Sheila Adkins of Phoenixville.