The bridge over the Codorus Creek in Spring Grove was closed Tuesday at the start of a $4.3 million replacement project. (Bil Bowden photo)

A section of Route 116 near Spring Grove was closed Tuesday as crews prepare to demolish a nearly 90-year-old bridge and replace it with a new one.

The Route 116 bridge, ruled structurally deficient, over the west branch of the Codorus Creek won't reopen until February, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Work will be finished in April 2013 when the contractor, Allan A. Myers, LP of Montgomery County, returns to pave the bridge approaches. Estimated cost of the entire project is $3.8 million.

The bridge on Route 116, known locally as Main Street, connects Spring Grove to neighboring North Codorus Township and is used heavily. Main Street will remain open up to Church Street for local traffic, including traffic to borough businesses.

Two detours have been set up to get motorists around the bridge. Eastbound motorists are taking Lehman Road to Stoverstown Road/Salem Road toward New Salem and then Route 616 to Route 30.

Westbound motorists are detoured to Hanover Street/Menges Mills Road/Old Hanover Road to Jacobs Mills Road before getting back onto Route 116.