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HAZE Temp: 40 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, November 22, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 28, 2002 Bridge limits could reroute a few trucks By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Bridge load limits would have financial impact on a handful of truck deliveries, according to officials, making a statewide problem localized. Two bridges on McAndrews and Barnett roads over Bear Creek could face load restrictions in January. An Oregon Department of Transportation inspector found structurally significant cracks in the concrete. If load limits are imposed, the McAndrews bridge would not present a major rerouting problem, but restrictions imposed on the Barnett Road bridge would affect businesses east of the bridge that receive deliveries, such as Albertsons, Rogue Valley Medical Center and several restaurants. In a worst-case scenario, an ODOT official said a handful of trucks would get rerouted to the Phoenix exit and would take North Phoenix Road to make deliveries to businesses east of the interstate, adding about seven miles and 20 to 30 minutes’ driving time for trucks coming from the north. The ODOT Bridge Strategy Task Force determined in a report released in June that many of the state’s problem bridges were built from the 1940s through the 1960s. Design "issues," modern traffic and heavier loads have caused the bridges to begin having cracks like those seen on Barnett and McAndrews roads, the report states. Jared Castle, ODOT’s regional public affairs representative in Roseburg, said a bigger problem occurred last year with Fords Bridge on I-5, two miles north of Canyonville. "We had to drop the limit down to 64,000 pounds," he said. "That’s a truck and a trailer. "The closure was about 20-something days. If it had been another month, economic impact to the Rogue Valley would have been felt." Bob Janssen, administrative engineer with Medford public works, said it will be five to seven years before the Barnett bridge is replaced, under current scheduling. The McAndrews bridge wasn’t scheduled for replacement. "There may be ways to provide some temporary support, but that’s like propping something up," he said. "It’s just a matter of when the bridge would be rebuilt and that would be a matter of funding." Dale Petrasek, Jackson County engineer, said there are no weight restrictions and no bridges on North Phoenix Road. He said the road could handle the extra truck traffic. "North Phoenix was not too long ago improved, so it’s in good shape," he said. Castle said there’s a statewide list of bridges needing replacement. ODOT has estimated that the cost will run into the billions. "There isn’t necessarily an emergency bridge fund," he said. "It’s just that the project gets moved up." Since the bridge is within city limits, repair and replacement issues are determined by the city’s public works department. Public works director Cory Crebbin was not available for comment Friday. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S