Sudden Closure of a Montco Bridge Sends Drivers, County Engineers Scrambling
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County officials should know in the next two weeks whether or not they can come up with a temporary fix to reopen a key bridge in the county that was shut down over the weekend.
Penndot engineers inspected the West Valley Green Road Bridge in late February and, according to their report, found problems on the deck and underneath the span.
The bridge, which spans the Wissahickon Creek, is a key link between Whitemarsh and Springfield townships.
County commissioner Leslie Richards says nearly 6,000 vehicles use the bridge each day. She says detour signs have been posted.
"There are other ways to get around the area," she advises. "Mill Road -- it will be a few minutes out of their way, of course. There may be some backups during peak hours, but it can be maneuvered around. Again, a lot of people will have to alter their daily traffic routine."
She says county engineers are trying to determine if there's a fix to keep the bridge open until it's scheduled reconstruction. The funding is already in place and they are now in the design phase.
