Weight Restriction on Deteriorating Huguenot Bridge
VDOT has immediately reduced the weight capacity allowed on the aging Huguenot Bridge, after a routine inspection by engineers uncovered some serious structural problems. Charles Fishburne reports.
The weight limit is now posted to three tons, which means only normal passenger traffic. VDOT says bus and truck traffic should now cross the James River on the Wiley Bridge and, as a further precaution, pedestrian traffic is now prohibited on the west side of the bridge adjacent to the southbound lane.
Engineers discovered a deteriorated concrete pier cap on the south end of the bridge and they are initiating an emergency contract to make repairs by early July. They say the bridge is safe, with current restrictions in place.
Twenty-eight thousand cars a day use the Huguenot Bridge and construction of a $65 million replacement is expected to begin late this fall.
Charles Fishburne, WCVE News.
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