Motorists who use the Carpenter Street Bridge in Muncy will be forced to find alternative routes to their homes or other destinations.

The bridge was closed indefinitely earlier this month following the discovery of “major deterioration” of a section of its deck, borough officials reported at the April council meeting.

The bridge crossing Glade Run had undergone work in the past year to replace a retaining wall, and the hope was to have the span open for coming years.

“We knew there were issues with the bridge,” Borough Manager Charles Hall said. “Just not that severe.”

Livic Engineering and PennDOT officials conducted a review of the bridge April 10 and are considering repair or even replacement options.

Hall noted that one option would involve repairing the bridge at an estimated cost of $35,000. The drawback, however, would not guarantee a long-term lifespan for the bridge.

Another option would involve replacing much of the bridge while keeping intact its original structure under PennDOT’s Retroactive Reimbursement Program at an estimated cost of $460,000, according to Hall. The borough would fund the project while later being reimbursed at 80% of the cost.

Yet another option would put the bridge on PennDOT’s Transportation Improvement Program to replace the span.

The borough has already spent $150,000 for the retaining wall work.

“But we are in the process of being partly reimbursed for it,” Hall said.

Council will eventually decide how to proceed with the bridge.

In other matters, council approved the transfer of contiguous properties at 208, 212, and 214 N. Market St. to the West Branch Regional Authority.

WBRA is planning to locate a pump station needed for a trunk line project to replace failing lines serving the borough and Muncy Creek Township.

Council approved a memorandum of understanding with WBRA to allow the borough to use property at 500 Pepper St. to temporarily store vehicles or equipment.

Council approved a one-year maintenance agreement with Leece Electric, Inc. for the traffic signal at Main and Water streets.

In personnel matters, council appointed Sean Freidof to the Shade Tree Commission.

Freidof is an arborist and a forester employed in Sullivan County.

Council approved Valerie Long as a substitute crossing guard and

Council approved a request from Muncy Little League place a storage shed at its Division Street practice field.

A resolution was passed by council to adopt the Lycoming County Mitigation Plan for the borough.

It was announced that Arbor Day will be celebrated at Waldron Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Waldron Park.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Muncy High School.