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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend July 20, 2006 Bridge may be the end of big trucks in Phoenix By buffy pollock for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — The only entrance into the city from Interstate 5 soon could be off-limits to heavy trucks if a short-term fix is not found for a cracked bridge by year's end. City and county officials reported that the half-century-old bridge over Bear Creek, included on a list of spans due for replacement under the Oregon Transportation Investment Act of 2003, was recently deemed in bad enough repair to require weight restrictions. "We have a report from the state that says we need to put into place some weight limits on the bridge," said Jackson County engineer Dale Petrasek. "Right now we're reviewing those to determine exactly when we'll be putting in the signs and so forth." While current legal load limits are 80,000 pounds — or 105,000 pounds with a special permit — Petrasek said limits imposed in coming weeks or months would range from 36,000 pounds for a truck or tandem-axle-vehicle to 58,000 pounds for a semi-truck with trailer. Built in 1951, the bridge is one of 389 in Oregon identified under the state's Cracked Bridge Program. The problem of failing bridges is significant in Oregon because the state continued to build concrete deck girder bridges — which are highly susceptible to cracking — between 1947 and 1961, after other states had stopped. Previous lack of transportation funding and increases in trucks' load sizes have accelerated the state's problem with the aging bridges. While some $1.5 million has been set aside for replacement of the bridge along Fern Valley, one of 39 due for replacement in Jackson County, Petrasek said the bridge's inclusion in plans for a $40 million rebuild of the interchange made for a slight complication. "The money for replacing the bridge is actually part of the fund for the Fern Valley interchange project," he said. "So we have to wait for the outcome of that particular project." While weight restrictions, by state law, must be put in place within 180 days of the state's June 10 report, Phoenix Public Works Director Jim Wear said he planned to meet with county and city officials to discuss a short-term repair for the bridge. "My hope is that we do a temporary fix on it to buy some time," Wear said. "It's called an epoxy injection over the bridge girders, similar to what was done with the bridge at Barnett Road. That would help it to handle regular loads for awhile before the interchange is redone." At best, the interchange replacement, which has been the topic of heated discussion between Oregon Department of Transportation officials and area business owners for much of the past year, would begin in fall 2008. Word that loads across the bridge might be restricted came as a surprise to area business owners. Norman Lumber owner Jeff Norman was concerned that business owners had not been informed of the potential restrictions. "The thing that bugs me is nobody's notified us from the city or state or county," Norman said. "We have quite a bit of inbound and outbound truck traffic not only this company but also Norton Lumber, which is one of our customers. It would make things pretty tough on both companies, I'll tell you." Norton Lumber owner Wanda Long was frustrated with the ongoing traffic woes in the city and county. "This is why they better get on that South Stage (interchange) really fast," she said. "Otherwise, people are going to have to come in from Talent or Medford. We do these roof trusses. We have big trucks come in here. That could essentially put us out of business." Norman, who said he agreed that a restricted bridge was better than "a bridge falling down," was pleased to learn Wear was searching for a solution. "That's a tough deal, but I can understand to some degree. We don't want the bridge to fall down," he said. "But it sure would be nice if they'd notify us so we could have some input. Another bridge I worry about is the one over the freeway. That thing, you get stuck on top and you can feel it shake." On the Web: " target="_blank">http://www.transportation.org/sites/bridges/docs/bruce%20AASHTO-Oregon%20Cracked%20Bridge%20Program.pdf. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews