Dan Genz, The Examiner
2007-08-31 07:00:00.0
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Prince William County -

An aging one-lane bridge over a railroad in Prince William County was shut down Thursday because it was unsafe for traffic, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced.

Repeated inspections this summer of the 125-year-old wrought-iron truss bridge in the Nokesville area proved that the aging structure was in poor condition and getting worse.

“All of the bridge’s components ... have extensive deficiencies,” said Nick Roper, a Northern Virginia bridge engineer with the Transportation Department. “Annual inspections and subsequent inspections clearly indicate that this bridge is in a state of rapid deterioration.”

Inspectors were concerned some of the planks on the top of the bridge could pop up and damage a car, Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart said.

“Some people use it as a shortcut,” Stewart said, “but keep in mind, it’s an one-lane bridge. I don’t expect it to cause any significant traffic problems.”

Since a state report raised serious questions about the bridge’s durability last year, the Norfolk Southern railway, which owns and maintains the bridge, has considered replacing the old structure, spokesman Robin Chapman said.

The bridge is on the historic registry, however, a designation that has stalled upgrades. Crews will replace the bridge’s decking over the next week, Chapman said.

A full renovation would cost $830,000, the state estimated.

The 1,750 vehicles using the bridge each day will face detours of up to three-quarters of a mile to Fitzwater Drive and Route 28, the Transportation Department said.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com