The state has taken corrective action on a bridge on the Route 422 Bypass over the Shenango River.

The bridge, which runs between New Castle and Taylor Township, was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as having a rocker bearing system similar to the Birmingham Bridge in Pittsburgh.

On Feb. 8, the deck of the Birmingham Bridge dropped by eight inches. An analysis determined that excessive movement in one direction of the rocker bearing system, caused by corrosion and debris from leaking expansion dams, led to the drop, according to District 11 Executive Dan Cessna.

Following that incident, District 11 — which includes Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties — identified 241 bridges with similar rocker-type bearings. Lawrence County has 16 such bridges.

Previous inspection reports by PennDOT identified nine of the bridges in the county as having non-emergency maintenance issues. However, it determined that the 422 Bypass Bridge needed immediate attention.

Jim Struzzi, press officer for District 11, said shoring was installed by placing large blocks under the spans. He said this is a “temporary measure” until the bearings can be cleaned or replaced at some point.

He referred to the shoring installation as a precautionary measure taken by PennDOT.

Struzzi said PennDOT is in the process of conducting re-inspections of the non-emergency situations, which includes eight bridges in Lawrence County.

“We’re systematically looking at these across the district,” he said.

All told, nine bridges in District 11 needed immediate attention. The district has a total of 241 bridges with similar rocker bearing systems as the Birmingham Bridge. Of those, 121 had non-emergency maintenance issues.