A decision whether to close an aging bridge in southwest Reno County may have just been made easier after a person drove a vehicle over the weight limit of the structure causing it to cave in. According to County Road and Bridge Superintendent Don Brittain, the damage was discovered Wednesday on a 60-foot span near Avery and Parallel.
The weight limit on the bridge was 3-tons and was one of the spans that was being considered for closure in the future. Now, depending on what it costs to repair the span, it may stay closed. Brittain estimates that it would cost between 300 and 400-thousand dollars to replace the structure.
Britain says he’s concerned that nobody reported the collapse and no one has taken responsibility for the damage. He said it appears what ever went over the bridge was pulled out of the hole it caused and then those responsible simply drove off.
County officials have been conducting a study of all bridges in Reno County to determine if they can be repaired or if they should be vacated. Brittain says if people would adhere to the posted weight limits, the bridges could stay open for the foreseeable future, if not, then it wont be long before they are forced to condemn the spans.