Drivers crossing the East End bridge are getting some relief from traffic signal timing, but thereƵs a possibility something worse could result from the inspections that are ongoing.
Proctorville Mayor Billy Elliott said Friday he has talked with the project manager for the inspection and was told there is a possibility the bridge could be closed completely.
Elliott said he was told that if the inspectors Ƶfind what they donƵt want to find,Ƶ the bridge could be shut down.
The 39-year-old bridge was the first cablestay bridge over the Ohio River. It has had problems since it opened in the summer of 1985. Its cables vibrated in certain weather conditions, so the Division of Highways put vibration dampers in the tower where the cables are attached. The DOH imposed a 20-ton weight limit in 2018, one that Elliott said is often ignored by truck drivers. A routine inspection in 2020 found irregularities in the bridgeƵs structural elements and possible advanced deterioration of some of the cables.
In an interview Friday, Elliott said, ƵTheyƵre going inside the cables this time. TheyƵve never gone inside them.Ƶ
One lane of the bridge is closed during inspection. Traffic signals at each end of the bridge determine traffic flow.
The DOH said Friday timing of the traffic lights was evaluated and adjusted to extend the time the light is green by 20 seconds in each direction.
Elliott said driver behavior also contributes to problems at the bridge. He said people will try to jump ahead in line, and some drivers run the red light.
Elliott said he would prefer to see flaggers controlling traffic, but thatƵs not his decision, as West Virginia owns, maintains and controls the bridge.
In a news release issued Friday, the DOH said one lane of the two-lane bridge closed Monday, Nov. 4, to allow for the inspection work. It said the DOH and contractors chose to work on the bridge during daylight hours seven days a week to complete what would normally be a four-week nighttime-only inspection.
The DOH did not respond to a request for comment by press time Friday.
The bridge will be open for Marshall home games.
Because people want to get in line to cross the bridge, they are not stopping in Proctorville to shop or to eat, which is costing local businesses money, Elliott said.
ƵItƵs just really messing things up,Ƶ he said. However, the inspection is necessary, he added.
ƵWe donƵt want another Silver Bridge disaster,Ƶ he said.
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